Dubbo Aboriginal Community and Education Hub planned

Plans to establish an Aboriginal community and education hub near Dubbo can progress following NSW Government appointment of the Pathways Together Aboriginal Corporation to manage a Crown reserve.

Aboriginal cultural heritage and health will be promoted on a 1.13-hectare reserve at Brocklehurst with the corporation officially gazetted as the Crown land manager.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said Crown land reserves play an important role supporting communities with everything from cultural activities to showgrounds, sporting ovals and community halls.

“It’s fantastic to hear these plans to put the Brocklehurst reserve to good use to achieve positive community outcomes for the Dubbo region,” Mr Kamper said.

The not-for-profit Pathways Together Aboriginal Corporation works with communities to help preserve Aboriginal culture and provide support programs to help individuals and families achieve their goals.

For example, the Murru Youth Program supports young Aboriginal people by teaching leadership and healthy life skills with Aboriginal role models. The corporation also operates a native nursery as part of its many activities that focus on education, employment, mental health and well-being.

Pathways Together Aboriginal Corporation managing director Rob Riley said the corporation will use the reserve to promote learning and health using traditional knowledge to care for Country, teach Aboriginal culture and skills and develop community connections.

It will also produce and teach arts and crafts, Aboriginal implements, furniture and native plant propagation among its activities.

“The reserve will provide a chance to be on Country and learn about native plants, growing food, making tools, and teaching Wiradjuri culture to anyone who wants to learn, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal, while closing the gap in a safe place with a mix of traditional and modern culture,” Mr Riley said.

“We have big plans and now we have been appointed to manage the reserve we can move forward to make our vision come true. We will have outdoor fitness, a café to cook healthy foods, and hope to establish tennis courts and cricket nets to engage young people and, who knows, perhaps produce the next Aboriginal cricket star or Australian Open champion.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty said it’s vital to build and deliver initiatives such as these, which support local communities and families to build their cultural futures.

“This is an amazing example of Aboriginal communities supporting the empowerment of their young people through the continuous practice of Aboriginal culture and connection to Country,” Mr Harris said.

“Cultural empowerment underpins the ongoing strength and resilience of Aboriginal people in sustaining the world’s oldest living culture. It is also critical in addressing the socio-economic targets in the Close the Gap agreement,” Minister Harris said.

Stephen Lawrence MLC said, "Positive initiatives such as this play an important role in empowering local communities in activities which promote greater cultural knowledge sharing and closing the gap."