In February of this year the NSW Government announced that it would contribute $1,066,981 through its Regional Cultural Fund program towards a project at the Myall Creek Memorial site. This funding was awarded to The Friends of Myall Creek Committee.
The Myall Creek Cultural Precinct project includes a culturally appropriate outdoor performance space and meeting place for dance, drama and storytelling. The space will introduce many school groups and the general public visiting the precinct to Aboriginal culture. It will also enable Aboriginal students and local performers to learn from their Elders.
The project will also see the construction of a bus and car park, amenities, artwork and gardens. Although Gwydir Shire Council is not directly involved in this project it will tender for the construction of such infrastructure.
Council’s General Manager, Max Eastcott was at pains to point out that the project is not funded by Gwydir Shire. He said that some of the road works and some of the car park will be funded out of the grant.
The Friends of Myall Creek Committee is excited with the project. The Committee’s Chair, Mr. Ivan Roberts stated ‘To have an amphitheatre at the memorial site will greatly enhance the visitor’s experience. Ultimately the Committee’s plan is to see an Educational and Cultural Centre built onsite. This project goes a great way to achieving this goal’.
Myall Creek is recognised as a national and state site of significant heritage value. The Memorial is on the same list as such places as the Great Barrier Reef, the Sydney Opera House and Uluru.
The plan shown below includes all three stages of the project.The biggest change to the area under stage one is the construction of the outdoor amphitheatre.
Stages two and three will be developed as funding is received.
