25 June

Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust Elders, community and Clergy recently celebrated the completion of heritage conservation works at St John’s Church, at Lake Tyers on Gunaikurnai Country, Gippsland.

The re-dedication of the Church event by the Anglican Church marked the end of the restoration works funded by a $200,000 grant through the Victorian Government’s Living Heritage Program.

The timber church was built by Aboriginal people in 1878 and became a key focal point of the former mission, home to Aboriginal people forcibly removed from their lands.

The project repaired damaged timbers, ensured that rain would be kept out and made the floor structure sound and level.

Now the doors to the Church can open and close properly and the Church can now be used again by the community. The project also provided useful training and skills benefits for workers from the local community who helped to paint the Church.

Explore all funded projects by the Living Heritage Program.

Image shows the Church during its renovations. Scaffolding can be seen around the church and it is a sunny day.

- St Johns Church during the restoration

St John's Church restoration work in progress. Photo taken in December 2023. Photo published with permission from Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust. Photographer: Geoff Ashley, Ashley Built Heritage.
The Church can been seen in this image after it has had renovations. The community can be seen celebrating outside of the church, drinking and eating. The sun shines on the side of the Church.

- St Johns Church after the restoration

St John’s Church, Lake Tyers, on Gunaikurnai Country’ at the re-dedication of the Church on Tuesday 28th May 2024 following the completion of the Victorian Government’s Living Heritage grant funded conservation works to the Church. The celebration was attended by the Committee of Management, Elders and Community of Lake Tyers and Anglican Clergy. The project was administered by Heritage Victoria. Photo published with permission from Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust. Photographer: Geoff Ashley, Ashley Built Heritage.

Page last updated: 26/06/24