Yaggabi Dhangal Inc.
Yaggabi Dhangal is our new not-for-profit organisation, registered under the NSW Fair Trade Act (INC2601163) and with ASIC as tax-exempt business (ABN20382502165)
Courallie Aboriginal Learning and Cultural Centre - a proposal
The concept is to transform the existing Courallie High School site in Moree into a welcoming Aboriginal-led cultural, educational and community centre, retaining and adapting existing buildings wherever practical rather than starting again with a new-build campus. We are proposing to develop the site into a Gamilaraay-led regional campus, rather than attempting to recreate Courallie High School. The underlying idea is,
A place where culture, education, Country, learning, science and economic development operate together.
"Culture is the foundation. Education is the pathway. Country is the classroom. Enterprise is the future."
Learning
Refurbish the best existing classrooms and create:
Child Learning centre;
Mentoring and tutoring;
Digital learning;
Youth programs;
Vocational education.
Culture
Giving the community a visible institution they can be proud of. This will include:
Welcome Place;
Culture Centre;
Elders' facilities;
Language centre;
Country
Giving the community a Country landscape to learn and build a business. It will include:
science centre;
native plant nursery;
wetland laboratory;
Native gardens;
Agricultural demonstration areas.
Vision and assumptions
The Moree Aboriginal community is one of the largest in NSW, it was always regarded as a centre of black culture and advocacy. However, futures for our young people and Aboriginal-led organisations in the town is currently stagnant. If we are to have a strong, proud First Nation culture thriving again in Moree, there needs to be a fundamental change in the way Aboriginal people are given the options for a better life, one with meaning and pride. Our people need more than drones, which is just scrambling to fix some of the symptoms; this does not go any way to fixing the causes of disadvantage and petty crime. This is achieved through pride, empowerment and the provision of opportunity. This is the reasoning behind the Courallie Learning and Cultural Centre.
The Centre will be a partnership with the NSW Department of Education who own the grounds, funding will be sought from both public and private sources.
Partnerships and collaboration with different agencies and service providers will be key to it's success. Promoting cross-cultural understanding and relationships are our oil.