Wathaurong formally acquire cultural centre

THE Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative has today (Monday, November 25) formally acquired the former Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre.

The Surf Coast Highway site will be known as the Wathaurong Booln Booln Cultural Centre and will re-open in phases over the coming months.

Booln Booln (pronounced Bool-en Bool-en) in Waddawurrung language means lyrebird; the speaker of all languages, symbolic of our many mobs, one community coming together.

Wathaurong chief executive officer Simon Flagg said he was glad the important cultural centre would now be in the rightful hands of Aboriginal people.

He said it was important to have a slow opening to put the right operating model in place, as well as ensuring facilities were ready for re-opening.

“The site does require some refurbishment and upkeep to make sure that we can set up culturally appropriate programs that are suitable for a range of different groups.”

Activity will begin on site over the coming months, with some meetings and community gatherings to be held in the space.

The facility will remain closed to the general public until early 2025 with the exception of the retail store, which will re-open on Monday, December 2.

It will be open six days a week; from Monday to Saturday.

The retail space will be revamped to include more locally sourced Aboriginal products, with an expression of interest for local mob to stock their products to follow.

Throughout this time, the animals on site are continuing to be cared for and will remain a feature of the site when it is ready for public re-opening.

Wathaurong takes over the site from the Uniting Church of Australia, who have overseen it for the past 28 years.

The co-operative negotiated with the Uniting Church over the past 12 months about a commercial arrangement to purchase the property and take on ownership and operations.