DJAARA unveils new headquarters

THE Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DJAARA) has celebrated the opening of its expansive new corporate and community centre on the site of the former Golden Square High School in Hattam Street.

Named Larnangurrak, meaning our place in Dja Dja Wurrung language, the building will be the permanent base of DJAARA’s operational activities with office space for around 100 staff, as well as a venue for arts and cultural events.

It will also be made available as a multi-purpose space to be used by other businesses and the wider public.

Dja Dja Wurrung Group CEO Rodney Carter said Larnangurrak was morethan a building and more than a workplace.

“It’s a special place that is designed by Dja Dja Wurrung for Dja Dja Wurrung and community,” he said.

“Every element has a purpose and has been carefully considered to create a welcoming and safe place.

“Once we settle in, we look forward to welcoming the community, which may be through events, through spaces such as the theatre and conference room, and the open spaces that are part of the site.”

Speaking at the opening, Premier Jacinta Allan said she was proud to stand alongside the DJAARA community in order to celebrate not only a physical new home, but a home that means so much more than the “beautiful structure it is.”

“This is a building that represents a place where culture, country and community are going to come together forever more, where we can all learn so much more from the oldest continuous culture,” she said.

“We can learn, my kids can learn, and we can learn (alongside) the children and the grandchildren of the DJAARA people going forward.”

There are also plans to develop the location further, adding a depot to house the growing DJAARA land management enterprise, DJANDAK.