A place to come together

South Australian first for Mount Gambier Police Station

Last Friday the official opening of the ‘Yarning Circle – Ngathuwi Boandiku Mraayu’ was held at Mount Gambier Police Station.

Positioned on the station’s front lawn, the Yarning Circle provides an inclusive space for Indigenous and non-Indigenous police and community members to connect, pause and reflect.

Limestone Coast Crime Prevention Section Sgt Jade Hill (pictured) said it was a privilege to have the inaugural yarning circle on South Australia Police premises. “To have it in a regional area such as Mount Gambier gives more pride to the local community and police who serve this community,” she said.

The significant project is a the result of a collaboration between Limestone Coast Crime Prevention Section, Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation, local Elders, South Australian Secondary Aboriginal Secondary Training Academy (SAASTA) students, Community Constables and local businesses.

The community-based process involved in-depth research and extensive community consultation to ensure cultural appropriateness, and engagement with many stakeholders for materials, machinery, time and expertise; all of which were kindly donated to the project.

Commissioner Grant Stevens attended the opening ceremony and said the space allowed for respectful communication, along with preserving and passing on cultural knowledge.

”It i is an example of another valuable collaboration between local police and First Nations people,” Commissioner Stevens said. “Community cooperation has brought this project to fruition, and relationships will continue to build as people utilise the new outdoor wellbeing space.”.