Cockburn Aboriginal Cultural and Visitors Centre

Connecting Community to Culture

For thousands of years, the Nyungar people have gathered at Bibra Lake, a place of profound cultural and spiritual significance where life flourished, stories were shared, and knowledge was passed down.  

Today, there is a need for spaces where elders can teach, where children can learn, and where the wider community can experience the richness of Nyungar culture firsthand. 

The Cockburn Aboriginal Cultural and Visitor Centre will be more than a building, it will be a living legacy created with the guidance of Nyungar Elders. The Centre represents more than bricks and mortar. It will be a living space, a safe haven, and a bridge between the past and the future. It will be where Nyungar people can learn the traditions of their ancestors and where visitors can experience the beauty and depth of the oldest living culture on Earth. 

Now, by walking together we can provide a place to connect our community to culture.

Progress Toward Realisation

The local Nyungar people have advocated for this Centre consistently over the years. This centre has now progressed through many stages of engagement, co-design, and site investigations. We are now at the stage where land, designs, and support for the centre have been put in place.

Following many years of investment from the City of Cockburn to design, investigate and engage with the community on this project, we are in need of additional funding support to make this come to life. Together, we can make this vision a reality.
 

A space for everyone

There are many planned spaces to engage locals and tourists alike:

• Cultural museum: visitors will explore Nyungar culture through interactive exhibits, storytelling spaces, and multimedia displays. Exhibits will bring Nyungar traditions to life, offering a window into a world shaped by deep respect for the land.
• Art and creative spaces: these spaces will showcase works by local artists and provide opportunities for hands-on workshops and creative expression. Dedicated areas will support local artists in sharing their work and teaching their craft.
• Family and Community Programs: designed for children, families, and community members, including school programs to engage and inform. Children will learn about their heritage through hands-on experiences, while visitors can engage with Nyungar art, language, and stories in ways that deepen understanding.
• Meeting and Gathering Spaces: flexible areas for groups, events, and activities that foster connection, belonging, and a sense of community. These areas will honour the tradition of coming together, offering a sanctuary for healing, reflection, and celebration.

The Cockburn Aboriginal Cultural and Visitors Centre will offer much more than a physical space; it will provide an experience, one that connects people to the stories and traditions of the Nyungar people in meaningful and lasting ways.

Guests will experience these stories through exhibits that blend history, art, and lived experience. They will leave with a greater appreciation of the strength and beauty of Nyungar culture.

Shaped by Nyungar voices

The Aboriginal Cultural and Visitors Centre is the culmination of years of advocacy, development and collaboration. It was shaped by the voices of the local First Nations community, who envisioned a culturally safe space where their stories, art, and traditions could be celebrated and preserved.

Guided by Nyungar Elders, the Centre has been co-designed to honour this heritage, with its turtle-shape symbolising connection to the land. These voices have advocated for a space where culture can flourish, where stories can be shared without fear, and where reconciliation can find a tangible home.
 

Benefits to the Community:

1. Economic Opportunity 

The Centre will draw visitors from across Australia and beyond, establishing itself as a hub for cultural tourism. This influx of visitors will boost local businesses, from cafes and accommodation providers to retail shops and service industries, creating a ripple effect of economic benefits throughout the region. 

Employment opportunities will be generated across various fields, including tourism, education, hospitality, arts, and cultural heritage.  
The Centre will provide employment for local First Nations people. Roles such as tour guides, cultural educators, artists, and administrative staff will provide opportunities for local Aboriginal people. A café at the centre will ideally have a First Nations operator to share traditional foods with the community.  

Collaborations with local artisans, businesses, and cultural organisations will amplify the Centre’s economic impact. Gallery and retail spaces will offer Nyungar artists and makers opportunities to showcase and sell their work, fostering entrepreneurship. 

2. Preserving and Celebrating Nyungar Culture 

The Centre will safeguard the stories, traditions, and practices of the Nyungar people, ensuring they are passed down to future generations. As a culturally safe space the centre will enable ceremonies, storytelling, and art to be shared, and a platform for Elders to share their knowledge.  

For the Nyungar community, the Centre will be a source of cultural pride and empowerment. It will provide a dedicated space to reconnect with traditions, celebrate heritage, and strengthen community identity and resilience. 

By creating an inclusive space for truth-telling and shared understanding, the Centre will actively support reconciliation efforts. Visitors will gain a deeper appreciation of Nyungar culture and an awareness of the challenges First Nations people have faced, fostering respect and healing. 

3. Authentic Education  

The Centre will be a hub for hands-on, interactive educational experiences, particularly for school groups. Aligned with curriculum objectives, we envision these programs will teach students about Nyungar history, culture, and sustainable practices, fostering respect for cultural diversity and a deeper understanding of First Nations heritage. 

Art classes, storytelling sessions, and cultural workshops will be open to families, tourists, and the broader community, offering accessible ways to engage with Nyungar traditions. These shared experiences will strengthen community bonds and cultural appreciation.

Through partnerships with schools, universities, and research organisations, the Centre will also facilitate knowledge exchange. Elders will share their wisdom with students, researchers, and visitors, ensuring traditional knowledge is preserved and celebrated while inspiring new perspectives. 

Walk together in reconciliation

Co-designed with Nyungar elders and community members, every element of the Centre has been crafted with care and respect. The process has been about more than creating a building; it has been about listening, to the voices of those it represents. Here, every voice will find its place, and every story will be given the respect it deserves. 

The Centre holds the promise of transformation, where stories that have long been silenced can be told openly, and where communities can come together in a spirit of truth and respect. By offering a safe space to reflect upon the history of this land, the Centre will provide an invaluable opportunity for dialogue and building understanding.  

Everyone is invited to participate in building a future rooted in respect, and unity. Through this space, reconciliation becomes more than a concept, it becomes an active force for change, shaping a stronger, more inclusive society for generations to come. 

Join the Journey

We invite you to be part of the journey, a journey where respect, unity, and cultural pride shape a future we can all be proud of.  

The Centre will be a testament to the power of community collaboration, built on shared values of respect, inclusivity, and cultural pride. Together, we can ensure the voices of the Nyungar people continue to resonate for generations to come. Learn more, share the story, and contribute to this lasting legacy. 

View more details on the background of this project