Djab Wurrung woman and Indigenous rights' campaigner Sissy Austin says she is mourning her "happy place" after being brutally attacked during an afternoon run in a forest near Ballarat.
Ms Austin said she was enjoying her regular run through the Lal Lal state forest, 20 minutes south-east of Ballarat about 4.30pm on Saturday when she was ambushed.
"I run out there all the time. It's beautiful country, Wathaurong country," Ms Austin said.
The 28-year-old said she had her headphones with music playing while running along a motorcycle track when a man emerged and attacked her with a makeshift weapon.
"He had a rock tied to the end of the stick," she said.
"I remember he had no shoes, jeans, a cap. He didn't have a top on."
Ms Austin said the next thing she remembered was waking up on the ground, bloodied and dizzy.
Battling painful injuries and challenging terrain, she managed to run 4 kilometres back to her car to call emergency services.
"It felt like it took forever to get back to my car. Definitely adrenaline, I think, got me back quicker."
Ms Austin was taken to Ballarat Base Hospital and underwent a CT scan.
She was cleared to return home on Saturday night, where she has continued to be supported by family and loved ones.
'Safe place' lost
Along with a bad concussion, facial swelling and bruising, Ms Austin said she was mourning the loss of her safe place.
"That place is my safe, go-to place. I feel like I'm [now] grieving that place now."
She said it will take time before she was able to return to the forest.
"I'm sure I will eventually … it would be deadly if the Traditional Owners could do a smoking ceremony out there eventually. That would make me feel comfortable to return," she said.
Ms Austin said she "hates" to stop people from visiting the area, but that "until the police have done a proper investigation, it's probably smart to not go there."
Ms Austin was one of the inaugural members for the First People's Assembly for Victoria and a former Greens senate hopeful in the 2022 election.
A report has been made to Victoria Police, who have confirmed to ABC News they are making enquiries.
