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$3 million for cultural centre at Gulkula
Media release by Jenny Macklin MP and Warren Snowdon MP 10 August 2013
T
he Yothu Yindi Foundation Aboriginal Corporation will receive $3 million to help build the Garma Cultural and Knowledge Centre at Gulkula, the site of the annual Garma Festival. Speaking at the Garma Festival today, Minister for Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin said the new centre will be the centrepiece of the Gulkula site, and operate as a cultural centre and multifunction learning and education facility. “This new funding, through the Aboriginal Benefits Account (ABA), will help build an enclosed auditorium that will act as a general meeting place for the Yolngu clans, particularly when conducting business,” Ms Macklin said. “Importantly, the facility will also deliver adult training and other educational opportunities and facilities to showcase Yolngu culture and encourage employment and economic opportunities in the region.” Minister for Indigenous Health and Member for Lingiari, Warren Snowdon, pictured, also welcomed the funding for the new cultural centre. “Projects like this are developed by the community, for the community, to benefit local Aboriginal people and make a significant contribution to closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage,” Mr Snowdon said. “They create new jobs, strengthen remote communities and improve the lives of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory.”
Ms Macklin said it was fitting to announce this important funding at the annual Garma Festival held annually in North East Arnhem Land and attended by thousands of visitors. “The Garma Festival is a celebration of Yolgnu culture and highlights the importance of nurturing and maintaining Indigenous cultural traditions and practices,” Ms Macklin said. “The festival showcases the art, music, dancing, knowledge and ideas of the Yolgnu people, giving people the opportunity to engage directly with the richness of Yolgnu culture.” ABA grants are awarded to
projects that will help improve the lives of Aboriginal people living in the Northern Territory. The ABA was established under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (the ALRA Act). The account is funded by payments from the Australian Government, equivalent to the value of royalties paid by mining interests on Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory. Minister Macklin thanked the ABA Advisory Committee and in particular the chair, Mrs Pat Brahim, for the ongoing work they do to make this program a success.
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