Aboriginal Gathering Place gathers momentum

The City of Whittlesea’s Aboriginal Gathering Place is one step closer to breaking ground with the endorsement of the business case by Council at its meeting on Monday 18 July.

Developed in partnership with the Whittlesea Aboriginal Gathering Place Advisory Group (WAGPAG), the Aboriginal Gathering Place (AGP) is proposed be located on an elevated plateau in the Quarry Hills Regional Parkland in South Morang. This distinct community centre will embrace the beautiful surrounding natural environment with indoor and outdoor activity spaces including multi-purpose rooms and kitchen, outdoor areas for cultural ceremonies and gatherings, community education, as well as external active play and discovery areas.

City of Whittlesea Administrator and Whittlesea Reconciliation Group (WRG) representative Peita Duncan said she was pleased with Council’s partnership approach to such a landmark project.

“I’d like to gratefully acknowledge the leadership, knowledge and contribution of the Whittlesea Aboriginal Gathering Place Advisory Group in working with Council to develop the final Aboriginal Gathering Place business case and the advice and support from the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation,” Ms Duncan said.

“This project will not only help to strengthen identity and wellbeing for Aboriginal people in our community, it will also provide a space for non-Aboriginal community to learn about, engage with and celebrate Aboriginal culture through knowledge sharing, cultural events and structured programming.”

“This will be the only Gathering Place of this size and scale in the broader Northern Metropolitan Region and it’s important we acknowledge the sustained advocacy efforts by the WRG and community members on this issue over many years.”

Latest census data shows the Aboriginal population in the City of Whittlesea has more than doubled in the last ten years, and we have the second largest population of Aboriginal residents in Metropolitan Melbourne. 

Aboriginal Gathering Places provide a safe and welcoming community centre for both the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community to reflect, celebrate and (re)connect to Aboriginal culture. Activities at a Gathering Place may include sharing food, performing ceremony, exchanging knowledge, and creating supportive networks to ensure continuity of culture and traditional practices.

AGPs promote the importance of culture in supporting positive health and wellbeing for Aboriginal people and may also act as a conduit for local Aboriginal people to access services and programs.

Council will now work collaboratively with the WAGPAG to co-design the facility and engage with the local Aboriginal community and the broader community on the programming and activities on the site.

“We are so thrilled we are able to bring this vision to life to celebrate our rich Aboriginal heritage, empower Aboriginal people to thrive and bring the broader community along on our journey toward reconciliation,” said Ms Duncan.

Council is committed to supporting the WAGPAG to transition over time to an incorporated Aboriginal Controlled Organisation leading decision-making and operation of the AGP.

The business case outlines a $10 million+ initiative, and the City of Whittlesea is seeking a $5million contribution from the Victorian Government towards this important project.

Subject to funding support, construction of the Aboriginal Gathering Place is expected to start in 2023.