Lot 2:
Reimagined
Rewilded
Reawakened
Inspirational Conservation:
How a community fought back, gave back and then nature made a come back.
Lot 2, is an 11-acre parcel of land near Aireys Inlet, bordering alongside the Painkalac Creek. The community rallied to prevent urban redevelopment, ultimately succeeding when local ophthalmologist Michael Loughnan and his partner Jacinta Halloran purchased the land with a vision to "Rewild"—to rehabilitate it using local native species. Today, Lot 2 stands under the perpetual protection of the Trust for Nature Covenant, ensuring its preservation for generations to come.
The journey of Lot 2 is a remarkable story of Reimagining, Rewilding, and Reawakening, showcasing the transformative power of community collaboration, ecological stewardship, and a shared commitment to environmental conservation.
This project highlights the significance of these projects as essential contributions to preserving biodiversity, fostering sustainable ecosystems, and creating a harmonious relationship between communities and nature.
Interview with Michael Loughnan, Land Owner. 22 September 2023.
Video by Avalon Morrison. (length 1:30)
Entry gates to Lot 2. Aireys Inlet, Victoria, Australia, 2023. Photo by Rebecca Law.
I suppose the thing with that is it makes it sound like it's a sacrifice, and it's anything but it's been so fantastic to be involved, both in bringing back nature and seeing this. I get so much joy out of it.
There's so many things you could spend your money on that do not bring you joy, probably bring you more responsibility and make you worry more.
Having the community involved is key, because if it was just yourselves, I think it'd be sort of, I don't know, it'd be a little bit lonely and could feel a little bit too self focused. So I certainly would never phrase it in those terms only because it makes it sound like a sacrifice. And it's just not what it was like, it certainly doesn't feel like that."
~ Michael Loughnan
Michael Loughnan (Land Owner). Lot 2, Aireys Inlet, Victoria, Australia, 2023.
Photo by Rebecca Law.
Drone Footage of Lot 2. Avalon Morrison, 2023. (length 1:02)
Lot 2: Reimagined, Rewilded, Reawakening
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Mangowak
Walk On Country
On September 3rd, 2023 Liz Wood from the Aireys Inlet Community Garden organized the "Mangowak: Walk On Country." This was an introduction for the group to learn about the land we were going to be visiting later that month.
Ashleigh Skinner, a Wadawurrung Traditional Owner, welcomed about forty participants to join him on the journey. Aireys Inlet holds significance as the border of Wadawurrung country, known as Mangowak in their traditional language.
Ashleigh began with a Welcome to Country and a Smoking Ceremony, creating a cultural connection. Moving towards the Split Point Lighthouse, Ashleigh shared tales of Wadawurrung Country, including the story of Bunjil, the creator spirit.
Descending to the beach, he pointed out a midden—an archaeological site where Traditional Owners once gathered to eat shellfish.
