Gariwerd Traditional Owners’ community consultation has commenced as part of a project to upgrade and reinvigorate Brambuk: The National Park and Cultural Centre, located in the heritage-listed Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park.

Barengi Gadjin Land Council, Eastern Maar, and Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporations formed a strategic partnership committee to guide the future of Brambuk.

Consultation will help to better define community desires for Brambuk as a place of cultural strengthening, community, learning, heritage conservation, employment, economic outcomes, and connection to Country. Aboriginal arts and cultural experiences and programs, new visitor spaces and facilities, and events will be developed as Brambuk moves towards operation by a Traditional Owner enterprise that will be accountable to the three Gariwerd Traditional Owner Corporations.

The Victorian Government Budget 2020–21 allocated $5.8 million from the Flagship Tourism fund to upgrade buildings, refresh activity spaces, and develop new long term environmental and cultural programs at the precinct.

The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions has provided $400,000 from the Infrastructure Planning Acceleration Fund to undertake engagement with Traditional Owner communities and stakeholders to prepare a vision and business plan for the future redevelopment of the Brambuk precinct, and to devise the model for Traditional Owner management.

Indigenous owned and run law firm, Terri Janke and Company will be working with the Traditional Owners to plan the governance model for the future Gariwerd enterprise.

The business and master planning project will be led by Gresley Abas, and includes a team of engagement, interpretation, design, and tourism business specialists.

Quote attributable to Barengi Gadjin Land Council:

“The connection our members and families have to the Gariwerd landscape is embedded in our culture, traditions, and customs, taught, and handed down through the generations.

“Barengi Gadjin Land Council is proud to continue working in partnership with the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation and Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation to ensure this project meets the needs and desires of the Traditional Owners.”

Quote attributable to Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation:

“Gariwerd national park is profoundly significant to Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation citizens. We are inextricably linked to the area and it provides a place of connection, solace, learning and teaching for our peoples.

“Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation is pleased to continue working in partnership with Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and Barengi Gadjin Land Council to shape the planning to establish the future Traditional Owner management of Brambuk.”

Quote attributable to Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation:

“Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (GMTOAC) is proud to work in partnership with Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, Barengi Gadjin Land Council and Parks Victoria to ensure Brambuk remains a place of cultural renewal and strengthening.”

“Traditional Owner led planning to establish the future Traditional Owner management of Brambuk is important to ensure the facility not only continues to provide cultural tourism experiences for visitors, but is a meeting place that supports the cultural, spiritual and symbolic needs of Traditional Owner communities.”

Quote attributable Jason Borg, Regional Director Western Region Parks Victoria
“Parks Victoria is committed to Traditional Owner led planning to establish the future Traditional Owner management of Brambuk.”

“It is important to ensure that Brambuk not only continues to provide cultural tourism experiences for visitors, but is a meeting place that supports the cultural, spiritual and symbolic needs of Traditional Owner communities.”