Hanging Rock Action Group - HRAG

28/01/2022

Over 8 years ago we started on this journey to bring respect & recognition to Hanging Rock and as a community to have our say on its future.

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning has recently released the “Hanging Rock Draft Master Plan” for community comment. This plan once finalised, will be the guiding document for the next 20 years.
We encourage you all to read it and use the opportunity to provide your feedback.
https://engage.vic.gov.au/hanging-rock-master-plan

Tell us what you think – will the Master Plan help to protect Hanging Rock and keep it a special place for all to visit into the future?

13/10/2020

It's not often that these two fierce Hanging Rock advocates agree. They both think (a) Hanging Rock has been let down by Macedon Ranges Shire Council & (b) this next council will shape Hanging Rock's future. We couldn't agree more.

Hanging Rock's East Paddock was purchased for us all, it's paid for itself many times over and yet is being held to ransom by our Council that also refuses to rezone it as long promised.

It's been seven years since our campaign began, and still Hanging Rock does not have the respect and recognition it was promised and deserves.

If you can't get out ask the candidates directly, we think the traffic lights of A Forum for Democratic Renewal reflect our thoughts. https://aforumfordemocraticrenewal.org/whats-this-traffic-light-election-campaign-about/

28/09/2018

We’re are almost there and we’re proud of what together we’ve been able to achieve.

It’s hard to believe that this latest chapter in Hanging Rock’s history really started five years ago with a couple of chats around a kitchen table about a Council gone rogue.

It’s been an amazing journey and at times passions have strained but we are excited that it really seems that we are all moving ahead in a co-operative and cohesive manner.

Among other things;
1. We mobilised over 6,000 people and told the story to anyone that would listen of why Hanging Rock matters
2. We stopped an inappropriate development and helped secure $1m in funding to repair two decades of neglect
3. We found Miranda and brought her back to the Rock
4. We successfully nominated Hanging Rock to the Victorian Heritage Register
5. We reinvigorated and continue to support the Friends of Hanging Rock
6. We’ve helped renew our council and bring a new sense of optimism to local govt
7. We’ve advocated for better indigenous understanding whilst supporting ‘all the stories’ of Hanging Rock as its greatest strength
8. We tried to capture some of those stories in “Hanging Rock – A History” (printed in Australia and available in local bookstores and retailers)
9. We have begun a campaign to bring Commonwealth heritage recognition to Hanging Rock

A big thank you to Mary-Anne Thomas MP who has been a great supporter and fierce advocate for Hanging Rock. Thanks also to all those that have advocated for or helped us to tell the Hanging Rock story and bring it the respect and recognition it deserves.
Congratulations to everyone of the more than 6,000 supporters that have shared this journey with us. Thank you.

A BIG DAY FOR HANGING ROCK.
Yesterday we joined Ministers Lily D'Ambrosio, Richard Wynne MP Mary-Anne Thomas MP, DELWP Loddon Mallee Councillor Jennifer Anderson Macedon Ranges Shire & Macedon Ranges Shire Council along with indigenous and community members to launch the Hanging Rock Strategic Plan.
Our local member Mary-Anne Thomas recognised the importance of the cultural heritage and conservation values of Hanging Rock and committed to elevating their priority.
We also received some exciting commitments from the state government (if re-elected);

1. A promise to purchase the East Paddock, fulfil its destiny and incorporate it into the Hanging Rock Reserve. We have long advocated for ONE ROCK so we’re pleased.
2. $3m for ‘implementation’ of the Strategic Plan with an additional $375k already committed.
3. Planning protections, including rezoning and legislative protection.

We acknowledge we’ve had false starts before, so first we’ll celebrate, and we’ll then turn our minds to working with government to ensure protections are delivered and funding is utilised appropriately.

We’re thrilled, we think you should be too. We think this a great big step in the right direction. Thank you to you all, the friends; to our State Government, DELWP, Mary-Anne Thomas and Macedon Ranges Shire Council.

29/08/2018

It's not perfect but it's a great step in the right direction (with a few tweaks).

Find minutes, agendas and decisions made by Macedon Ranges Shire Council.

10/04/2018

Find a greater glider tomorrow night at Hanging Rock’s spotlight survey!

Spotlight survey to find the Greater glider, Powerful owl & other threatened species. The spotlight will be conducted over a 2km walk through the reserve. Bring warm clothes. Torches provided. Brad can be contacted on 0421 823 998 in case you can't find the meeting location or are delayed. Parking j...

17/12/2017

Only a week left until Christmas. Don't your loved ones deserve their own copy of 'Hanging Rock - A History'?

Order now at www.hangingrock.net.au

Friends of Hanging Rock has published the first comprehensive chronicle of the famous landmark to answer many long-standing questions about the rock.

05/12/2017

Don't miss our book launch this Friday night, where all your questions about will be answered (including things you didn't know you didn't know!)

Secrets of Hanging Rock will be revealed in the first comprehensive chronicle of its kind, Hanging Rock - A History, due for release on Friday.

15/11/2017

It's almost here, pre-order your copy of 'Hanging Rock - A History' in time for Christmas at https://hangingrock.net.au/

WE'RE EXCITED. Our book, 'Hanging Rock - A History' is now with the printer!!! Pre-order your copy now at https://hangingrock.net.au/

Here's an extract from chapter 2 – FIRST PEOPLE AT HANGING ROCK

‘ For thousands of years Aboriginal custodians cared for Hanging Rock. Over the last 150 years, both visitors to Hanging Rock and its image-makers first of all ignored the role of Aboriginal people in protecting the place. They preferred to picture the Rock as ‘natural’, a wilderness rather than a cultural landscape. They then made belated, occasionally romanticised, and often poorly substantiated attempts at reconstructing an Aboriginal image of Hanging Rock, and neighbouring sites. Finally, in the 21st century, the Aboriginal custodians of Hanging Rock have been acknowledged in arrangements for managing the Reserve, and in accounts of its significance as a cultural landscape.’
(c) Chris McConville 2017
Image: Dryden’s Rock near Mt Macedon. Robert Bruce. Wood engraving.
The Illustrated Melbourne Post. 25 January, 1865. State Library of Victoria.

25/09/2017

The Friends of Hanging Rock's long-awaited history of the Rock will soon be released. Check out what Phillip Adams had to say about it and buy your pre-release copy!

As you may have noticed, there’s been a renewed outbreak of the History Wars with attempts to — at least metaphorically — tumble English notables from their pedestals or modify their plaques. At issue, the proposition that James Cook “discovered” Australia. This ignores the flotilla of European boat...

17/09/2017

Last chance to your say on the future of Hanging Rock! Check out the plans online and complete the survey or write your own submission 📝 CLOSES TONIGHT SUNDAY 17/09 Details below ⬇️

View the new draft Hanging Rock Master Plan Options Paper and provide feedback about the future layout and events at this historically and culturally significant Victorian landmark.

17/01/2017

What do you know about Hanging Rock apart from the film? While it's one wonderful story about the Rock, PhD student Amy Spiers encourages us to look further into our local landmark's multi-layered history and culture.

A campaign is launched to highlight the significance of Indigenous history at Victoria's Hanging Rock.