Last month our Eden Canoe Project reached an exciting milestone, with the completion of a handcrafted replica canoe inspired by a remarkable moment in early Australian history.

In 1797, after a shipwreck forced a group of sailors to walk from Victoria toward Sydney Cove, their journey came to a halt at a wide river on Yuin Country. Stranded and unable to cross, they were met by a group of Indigenous locals who offered help. Using hand-crafted canoes, the Yuin people ferried the sailors safely across.

This moment was recorded in the journal of one of the sailors, William Clark, who described the small canoes as “precious vehicles for one unacquainted… though the natives paddle about in them with the greatest facility and security.”

The Eden Canoe Project—which partners Indigenous young people with local Elders to build confidence and strengthen cultural connection through hands-on activities—set out to honour this story. The aim was not simply to recreate a historical object, but to celebrate traditional knowledge and the enduring relationship between the Yuin people, their waterways, and their craft.

Now completed, the vessel has been delivered to the Aunties at the Mamadja Craft Group, an initiative supported by Anglicare partner Twofold Aboriginal Corporation. The Aunties plan to adorn the canoe with traditional weaving and painted designs, adding cultural meaning and artistry that reflect the strength and continuity of Yuin heritage.

To explore the project further or learn how to get involved, visit the Eden Canoe Project page.