By Candice Boyle
A SELF-GUIDED walk through Footscray tells an award-winning story, according to judges of the 2007 Victorian Community History Awards.
Creators of the Footscray Trail: a guided walk through the historic central business district, have been awarded $1000 for the trail guide at the recent awards ceremony.
Launched in October last year, the trail details the history of buildings and the influences of refugees on the area during a 45-minute walk through parts of Footscray.
The recent award is a commendation of the work carried out by the Footscray Reference Group, the Footscray Historical Society, the Maribyrnong City Council and Inner West National Trust to complete the guide.
Information Victoria sponsors the annual Victorian Community History Awards to reward communities that are using innovative ways to record community history.
The trail guide was awarded first prize in the Best Walk-Tour section, with judges describing it as a well written and concise look at the architecture of buildings and the social history of Footscray.
Maribyrnong City councillor Janet Rice was involved in the creation of the guide last year.
Cr Rice said the group’s goal had been to promote Footscray’s cultural heritage by increasing knowledge and awareness of the history of the area.
“The trail group wanted to recognise and include the various layers of cultural significance in central Footscray that relate to historical periods and migrant groups who have shaped the suburb,” she said.
Cr Rice said the architectural information in the guide helped the walker understand the style of some of the earlier buildings.
“Footscray has endless hidden treasures and walking through its streets and laneways is one the best ways to discover them,” Cr Rice said.
The award-winning brochure is free and available from libraries, museums, cafes, arts venues, the council offices and the historical society.
