Architectural plans for construction of an Education and Cultural Centre in close proximity to the Myall Creek Memorial will be on display at a public meeting to be held at Myall Creek on Saturday 30 October.
In June 2000 a group of Aboriginal and non-aboriginal people, working together in an act of reconciliation, erected the Myall Creek Memorial to commemorate the unprovoked massacre of about twenty-eight Wirrayaraay women, children and old men by a group of stockmen in 1838.
Their efforts were rewarded in 2008 when the massacre site and Memorial received national recognition through inclusion on the National Heritage Register.
Encouraged by this recognition, and growing support from the local community, plans have been prepared for the proposed education and cultural centre.
The plans provide for the centre to be built on the south east corner of the intersection of the Whitlow and Bingara/Delungra Roads.
The Centre will be equipped with the latest interactive technology to portray visually and aurally the history of contact between Aboriginal people and early settlers across Australia.
It is also intended to house artifacts and other cultural materials of local Aboriginal people, and provide space where groups of students and other visitors may watch video materials, hear presentations and participate in discussions.
The plans also include a manager’s residence, a kiosk, and large parking area capable of accommodating tourist coaches.
The plans are to be released at a public meeting at the Myall Creek Memorial Hall, at 10.30 am on Saturday, October 30.
The vision is bold, requiring support from a broad spectrum of community groups and government agencies with specific skills and knowledge to share.
However, from the beginning the impetus for establishment of the Memorial has been a ‘grass-roots’ movement dependent on the goodwill and commitment of individual people.
The Committee is therefore keen to learn the views of the local community. The concerns of local Aboriginal people are especially important to ensure plans for the centre and development of the site is consistent with their own aspirations.
For further information contact Ivan Roberts at (02) 6257 4600 or iroberts@iinet.net.au; Graeme Cordiner (02) 9817 0288, John Brown 0417 209 076, or Lyall Munro (02) 6752 5792
