This book illustrates a regenerative journey of (re)learning relationship with place and nature.
Nestled in the heart of Newport, Melbourne, Australia, lies a place where history, nature, and community intertwine. Known as Koort Boork Boork by the Traditional Custodians, the Yallukit-willam people, this land has seen a century of transformation—from its beginnings as a potential meeting place, to a bustling quarry, and finally, to a cherished urban sanctuary.
When settlers arrived, they started to quarry the bluestone of the area, using it for ballast, construction and roads. The quarrying accelerated until they closed in 1968. For nearly two decades, a fierce battle raged: should these lakes be filled with rubbish, or preserved as a natural haven? A compromise was reached, one lake was lost but the two remaining lakes were saved, paving the way for their rebirth as a new place.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Newport Lakes became more than just a park—it became a refuge. People flocked to its peaceful shores, seeking solace in nature and connecting to the community. Many species of birds, plants, and reptiles made it their home, transforming this once industrial site into a thriving ecosystem.
Though it will never return to the Koort Boork Boork of 200 years ago, Newport Lakes is evolving into something just as beloved: a place where the past meets the future, where nature and community flourish side by side. This book is a celebration of the stories that have made the Newport Lakes Reserve, celebrating all the people involved and looking to the future of its potential.
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Newport Lakes Stories and Contributive Practice 