On Friday 18 February, a ceremony took place to celebrate the handover of land from the former Golden Square High School in Hattam Street, Bendigo to the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation. It was attended by Dja Dja Wurrung Elders and community leaders.
The land will be the site of the new Dja Dja Wurrung Corporate and Community Centre.
The centre will provide a permanent built-for-purpose home for the corporate and business operations of the Dja Dja Wurrung. It will help to boost employment and economic development for the Bendigo community.
It will be designed for Dja Dja Wurrung members and provide spaces for learning and interaction and honour the survival, growth and culture of the Dja Dja Wurrung. It will also provide space for arts and cultural events and incorporate the use of existing basketball and oval facilities for the wider public in Bendigo.
The site was a recommendation made as part of Professor Mick Dodson’s review of the 2013 Recognition and Settlement Agreement. A revised agreement is currently being negotiated between the government and the Dja Dja Wurrung people.
The Government supports self-determination and land justice for Traditional Owners in Victoria. You can learn more about the Dja Dja Wurrung Recognition and Settlement Agreement on the department’s website.
Aboriginal Justice Group staff with members of the Dja Dja Wurrung at the historic Handover Ceremony. L-R: Jamieson Kirk, Tarneen Callope, Justin Mohamed, Trent Nelson, Dean Cowie, Ben Wurm, Jacinta Harrison and Rodney Carter.