NSWALC Community Fund supporting Wiradjuri culture at Trangie

28 July 2017

School children in the Trangie area will be able to learn more about Wiradjuri culture with the opening of a new cultural centre today.

Speaking at the opening of the Wungunja Cultural Centre in Trangie, NSWALC Chair Roy Ah-See praised Trangie Local Aboriginal Land Council members for their hard work in establishing the centre.

Cr Ah-See said the idea for the Wungunja Cultural Centre started some six years ago when Trangie Local Aboriginal Land Council purchased the building from the Scouts.

"The NSW Aboriginal Land Council has been part of this journey, providing support through our Community Fund.

"In 2016, Trangie Local Aboriginal Land Council secured a grant from the Community Fund and used the funding to help renovate the building."

Cr Ah-See was joined at today's opening by Trangie Local Aboriginal Land Council representatives and community members.

NSWALC Councillor for Central Region Stephen Ryan said the Wungunja Cultural Centre would play a significant role in strengthening Wiradjuri culture.

"The Centre will protect cultural artefacts and assist Elders in passing on knowledge to our younger generations and educating students and visitors about Wiradjuri culture."

Trangie LALC CEO Terrie Milgate said the Land Council had worked with the Australian Museum and the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage on the return of two carved ceremonial trees taken from the area in the 1960s.

"The two trees are back in our care and part of the Wungunja Cultural Centre which we have established as a keeping place for our artefacts and historical information.

"Wungunja Cultural Centre will also be an attraction for tourists and visitors and make it easier for us to educate the broader community about our rich culture," she said.

About the NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) Community Fund

NSWALC Chair Roy Ah-See said the Community Fund is an investment in the future of the Land Rights network, providing grants of up to $50,000 to eligible Local Aboriginal Land Councils.

"The Community Fund ensures eligible Local Aboriginal Land Councils can share in the wealth of those that enjoy a strong economic base.

"In New South Wales we have 120 Local Aboriginal Land Councils. Some hold more valuable land holdings and others have less valuable land and development opportunities," he said.

The fund is generated by a levy on Local Aboriginal Land Council land dealings with matching contributions by NSWALC.

It was introduced following an amendment to the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983.

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Media contact: Andrew Williams 0429 585 291