Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Joint initiative supports the sharing of Indigenous Culture

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Peter Garrett MP, Minister for the Environment Heritage and the Arts
    Jim Turnour MP, Member for Leichhardt

A new cultural centre, funded through a partnership between the Australian and Queensland governments and the Hope Vale Community Learning Centre, will boost support for Indigenous artists in the Hope Vale community.

The Australian Government has committed $465,000, the Queensland Government $360,000 and there was a $20,000 in kind contribution including materials and labour from the Hope Vale community.

The Paddy McIvor Munarra Memorial Culture Centre Building and Nganthanun Bamawi Bayan Gallery will provide the region’s artists with a space to exhibit their work.

It will also give all local people the opportunity to appreciate the history, language and culture of Indigenous Australians through these unique works of art.

The centre, run by the Hope Vale Community Learning Centre Aboriginal Corporation, offers a venue for performing artists, painters, textile artists and musicians to meet and share their creativity with Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Its opening represents an important acknowledgment of the talents of the Indigenous community in Queensland.

Local people will benefit socially and economically through the centre’s promotion of the arts, culture and tourism as well as providing them with connection to their culture.