By Alesha Capone
The construction of a new Aboriginal community centre and integrated family centre in Wyndham Vale has been completed.
Wyndham mayor Mia Shaw said services at the Wunggurrwil Dhurrung Centre, on Communal Road, were scheduled to commence from January next year.
The $13.2 million centre, of which the state government contributed $3.16 million in funding, includes three kindergarten rooms, a playground, a range of consulting rooms for maternal and child health and other services and two community activity rooms for larger functions.
Cr Shaw said Wyndham has one of the fastest growing populations in Australia – home to more than 270,000 people, with that figure expected to increase by a further 74 per cent over the next 18 years.
Cr Shaw said Wyndham was also home to the highest proportion of Aboriginal people in Greater Melbourne, which is why the centre was co-designed with a committee of indigenous community leaders and representatives.
Cr Shaw said the Aboriginal Community Centre would provide a dedicated space for indigenous people to strengthen community and cultural development, host community events and provide pathways to education, training and employment.
Cr Shaw said she would like to thank the Koling wada-ngal Committee for “playing an invaluable role” in helping to design the centre.
Co-chairs of the committee, Rob Monohan and Karen Jackson, attended last week’s celebration to officially open the centre.
Werribee MP Tim Pallas, who also attended the event, said “Wunggurrwil Dhurrung” means “strong heart” in the Wadawurrung language .
“I look forward to the centre becoming a strong heart for our community,” he said.
The Wunggurrwil Dhurrung Centre will be operated under a tri-party model, consisting of Wyndham council, the Koling wada-ngal Committee and One Tree Family Services.
See www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/project/wunggurrwil-dhurrung-centre for details.
