Benbenjie Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

47 Matthew Street, McCrae VIC, 3938


A nice grassy area dotted with clumps of trees. There are a few unshaded seats and a bin. No water tap. The reserve was formerly known as Bass Reserve.

Some signage at the reserve reads "The Mornington Peninsula is home to the Traditional Owners, the Boon wurrung/Bunurong people. This reserve is named in honour of local Boon wurrung man Benbenjie who lived in this area, known to the Boon wurrung people as the Wonga region. The township of McCrae was given its name posthumously after the McCrae family. Andrew and Georgiana McCrae's family were emigrants of Scotland and the first European settlers of Arthurs Seat (1844-1 851).

Recordings made by Georgiana McCrae and her son George make refere e to their indigenous friends; Benbenjie and his wife Eliza. Benbenjie taught the McCrae children how to hunt and fish, showing them how to make equipment such as boomerangs and spears, in the traditional Boon wurrung \way. The naming of this reserve was proposed by the members of the Friends Group who work in conjunction with the Mornington Peninsula Shire to maintain and care for this reserve."