Oral Presentation Transform 2021 - Public Works Conference

Lessons Learned from the Stakeholder Engagement Process for the development of Wunggurrwil Dhurrung Centre (#19)

Sylvia Janus 1 , kerrie Godbold 1 , Rob Monohan 2 , Eilis Hughes 1
  1. Wyndham City Council, Werribee, VICTORIA, Australia
  2. Co-Chair, Koling wada-ngal Committee, Wyndham Vale, VIC, Australia

The Wunggurrwil Dhurrung Centre (meaning ‘Strong heart’ in Wadawurrung language), completed in late 2019, has been built in response to the identified need for a gathering space for the diverse and growing Aboriginal communities in Wyndham, now having the largest Aboriginal community in metropolitan Melbourne. The design of the $13.2M five star green star centre was community lead, with significant input from the Koling wada-ngal Committee (nee: the Wyndham Aboriginal Community Centre Committee) since initial conception in 2013. The project has been a partnership between the Koling wada-ngal Committee and Wyndham City Council, with the shared vision to “Recognise and celebrate Aboriginal culture and history as an essential activity to create a culturally safe space where people of all ages and cultures are welcome to gather, learn and share, and access programs and services.” .

In direct response to community priorities, the centre provides:

  • Koling wada-ngal - A dedicated Aboriginal Community Centre provides the diverse Aboriginal community a culturally appropriate place that to reconnect to their culture and engage in traditional and contemporary practices to strengthen culture.
  • Balim Balim - an Integrated Family Centre provides universal services such as, kindergarten, Maternal Child Health, youth and support service with a focus on learning through Aboriginal culture.
  • Yaluk - The Neighbourhood Community Centre enables people to connect with neighbours, gain information, connect to services, participate and contribute to their local community.

Through dedicated resourcing and active engagement, the centre design, construction approach, naming and functionality have all been informed by community to foster connection to place and environment. This presentation will cover the stakeholder engagement process utilised during this project, the key actions taken to foster and establish the partnership model, and the experiences of the Koling wada-ngal Committee.