Chamber welcomes opening of Booln Booln

THE Geelong Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the opening of Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative’s new cultural centre Booln Booln, describing it as “the beginning of a powerful new chapter for Geelong’s business community, one rooted in connection, shared learning, and mutual growth”.

Formerly known as Narana, the facility has been refurbished under the co-operative’s new ownership to include a café, retail store, virtual-enabled meeting spaces, outdoor walks, animal activities, cultural education spaces and podcast studios.

The centre reopened at the end of March and the Geelong Chamber of Commerce hosted its April Connect networking event there on Monday this week.

Chamber chief executive officer Jeremy Crawford said Booln Booln was both a physical and symbolic space where the ancient traditions of First Nations people met the opportunities of today’s economy.

“For the Geelong Chamber of Commerce and its broader network, it represents a bridge between generations, between business and culture, and between the past and the future.

“Long before global markets, First Nations people built thriving economies—trading ochre, tools, stories, and knowledge across vast networks.

“These systems were grounded in respect, reciprocity, and relationship. Booln Booln invites us to return to those values, not as history lessons, but as guiding principles for how we do business today.”

He said the centre was somewhere that present and future generations – young leaders, entrepreneurs, elders, and creatives – could come together, share stories, and co-create.

“It gives our business community a shared space to learn not just about First Nations culture, but from it.”

Business was fundamentally about relationships, Mr Crawford said.

“Booln Booln reminds us that those relationships must be built on understanding and inclusion if we’re to build a resilient and inclusive local economy.

“It challenges us to go beyond networking – to embed purpose, respect, and community in our leadership.

“This is how we shape a new kind of leadership – one that values heritage, champions inclusion, and builds shared prosperity. As our region grows, so must our awareness of the stories that shape it.”