Aboriginal Victorians will have greater support to connect with their culture through their education and training with the opening of a new Aboriginal education centre in Geelong.
Training and skills minister Gayle Tierney officially opened The Gordon’s new Kitjarra wurrun-ngeen Centre – ‘our learning house in Wadawurrung language) last week, along with traditional owners, who held a smoking ceremony.
The purpose-built centre will provide students with a culturally safe space for study and career counselling, financial and wellbeing services and is part of the ongoing $23.5 million campus upgrade.
It features a flexible learning space, meeting rooms, offices and a kitchen and amenities with external artworks to be designed by local artists in homage to Aunty Donna Sinclair, whose mural was showcased in The Gordon’s old courtyard.
“The new Kitjarra wurrun-ngeen Centre has been built with the local Aboriginal community for local Aboriginal students – it will be an important meeting place and help more Victorians access training and great jobs,” Ms Tierney said.
Along with the new space, around 30 locals between 15 and 17 will be supported by the TAFE into Certificate I, II and III Mumgu-Dahl tyama-tiyt – ‘message stick of knowledge’ – courses and entry to Pathways to Employment certificates – courses founded on a connection to culture and identity that will help students develop literacy and numeracy skills, confidence and goal-setting.
“We have a great track record helping Aboriginal Victorians into training and this exciting new centre will help even more people learn and connect with their culture and lay the foundation for their future,” The Gordon chief executive Joe Ormeno said.
The Kitjarra wurrun-ngeen Centre forms an important part of the Government’s Marrung: Aboriginal Education Plan 2016-2026 to lift engagement and participation of Aboriginal learners in vocational education and training.
The upgrade of The Gordon is expected to be completed mid-2022, with 400 jobs expected to be created during construction.
