BRAMBUK THE NATIONAL PARK AND CULTURAL CENTRE

Gateway to Gariwerd and the National Park. Its peoples…their stories and the land…a meeting place.

WORKING TOGETHER Imagine a place where you can be… …surrounded by nature …touched by beauty …moved by dreams …excited to explore more Badema Djilga Try, taste and feel Gariwerd/Grampians

Try your hand at throwing a or playing a

Taste this country’s indigenous past and future

Feel the past…take a journey with us…to the present, from the past and into the future.

Growing Together The future visitor to the Grampians will be attracted to Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre, a precinct recognised as the region’s pre-eminent site for the appreciation of Aboriginal culture and heritage and the environment.

Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre will combine high quality visitor services and interpretive experiences that embody the principles of Recognition, Respect and Reconciliation. THE VISION

The Partnership

Brambuk and Parks Victoria are working together to develop Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre.

Brambuk is a pre-eminent cultural institution. It represents five Aboriginal communities from the Horsham, Portland, Warrnambool, Heywood, Hamilton and Framlingham regions.

These communities are committed to positive employment outcomes for indigenous people, recognition of cultural heritage, interpretation and reconciliation.

Parks Victoria manages the State’s outstanding parks system, as well as ’s bays, rivers and waterways and a considerable part of our cultural heritage. Gariwerd/Grampians

The outstanding natural and cultural values of Grampians National Park – Gariwerd (the indigenous name for the area) and its many recreational opportunities is a substantial basis for tourism, education and interpretation.

The park attracts more than 800,000 visitors each year and is estimated to contribute over $100 million to the regional economy.

Gariwerd is of great significance to Aboriginal communities. Over two thirds of Victoria’s Aboriginal sites are within the national park.

In , Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre is the premier orientation and interpretation destination in the region.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Integrating the Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre and the Grampians National Park Visitor Centre offers a wonderful opportunity to create an exciting and dynamic meeting place in regional Victoria. By using a wide variety of interpretive services and facilities such as landscape zones, displays, multi-media presentations and face-to-face programs and events, the new precinct will become a ‘must-see’ destination for all visitors to the area.

THE FUTURE EXPERIENCE Guided ranger walks Bush foods cafe – and talks – personalised dine in the heart visitor information of Gariwerd

Cultural and environmental tours will A licenced bush food café with be one of the Centre’s key services. al fresco facilities overlooking the Guided walks and tours will focus wetlands and mountains. on a rich Aboriginal culture and environments, and the Grampians National Park.

Interpretive displays Cultural performances – and information – rich active revival with cultural integrity Dynamic new dances, music and story Enjoyable, educational and telling continually developed in an entertaining displays and multimedia active program of cultural revival. experiences telling the stories of the land and its people, from a variety of perspectives.

Educational programs – Seasonal festivals – a key product for exhibitions, performing the region arts, dance, food

One of the Centre’s key products is and music “learning”. A variety of educational The attraction of the Centre will be services will encourage teachers and further reinforced by staging seasonal students to explore the culture, festivals and special “one-off” events. heritage and environment of the national park. The development of the site over the next five years has been divided into three stages.

REALISING THE DREAM Stage One: Integration Stage Two: Service improvements Stage Three: Expansion of

Integrating the existing services and facilities on site. Expansion of services and product development. infrastructure Design and construction of a new ‘meeting place’ Stage One will: Stage Two will: building. • Integrate the customer services/information delivery • Develop a variety of guided educational activities Stage Three will: into a ‘one-stop shop’. that encourages visitors to explore. • Develop the ‘meeting place’ building, incorporating • Retrofit the National Park Visitor Centre to • Develop a program of guided activities occurring cafe, retail facilities, exhibition spaces, static and accommodate a bush food cafe, single retail outlet, throughout the precinct at regular times. active displays, conference and educational facilities. information, booking and sales area, new • Introduce a range of cultural exchange programs interpretive displays and site administration. • Construct a new entry forecourt and visitor carpark. including artist in residence programs. • Reconfigure the Brambuk building to deliver • Continue to develop interpretive experiences and • Continue landscape and wetland improvements, educational and interpretive services through new products for the site as demand increases. including interpretive pathways linking to the cultural and environmental displays, audiovisual national park, Halls Gap and Lake Bellfield and presentations, gallery, and Keeping Place and interpretive landscape zones. performance spaces. • Construct boomerang/spear throwing areas, • Design and install new directional signs to improve ceremonial and performance areas, multi-media visitor flows. experiences and education areas. •Relocate the Parks Victoria operations centre. 1 2 3 This unique partnership will maintain Aboriginal cultural traditions and will help protect the environment for future generations.

THE BENEFITS

Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre will:

• Play a key role in the process of recognition, respect and reconciliation.

• Promote a greater awareness and understanding of Victoria’s Indigenous people, cultural heritage and the environment.

• Promote the social, economic and cultural development of Victoria’s Aboriginal communities.

• Contribute to the development of the regional economy.

• Create new jobs and training opportunities for all Victorians.

• Maintain Aboriginal cultural traditions by presenting a living cultural experience.

• Improve visitor experiences and facilities in Grampians National Park.

• Help protect our precious environment. …you can make a difference. Nga Keenatt (Welcome)

Growing Victoria Together For further information about this project contact the Parks Victoria Information Line on 13 1963

Any donations to Brambuk over $2.00 are tax deductible Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre. Halls Gap, Victoria Australia 3381 • T 03 5356 4381 • F 03 5356 4455 • E [email protected]