Dawul Wuru opens Yirrganydji Collective Hub in Cairns for Indigenous programs

From land and sea ranger programs to junior and cadet programs, a Cairns Indigenous group has opened its first community centre in the region.

Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation chief executive officer Joe Morrison, Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation director Bronwyn Singleton, Dawul Wuru director Lyndal Singleton, Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation director Shane Singleton, Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation Operations Manager Kathryn Morton, Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation Eastern Division general manager Nyaree Mewett. Photo: Supplied.

From land and sea ranger programs to junior and cadet programs, a Cairns Indigenous group has opened its first community centre in the region.

The Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation officially opened its new multipurpose facility, Yirrganydji Collective Hub, in an effort to enhance economic, environmental and cultural opportunities for the community.

Indigenous Land and Sea Council chief executive officer Joe Morrison said the hub would continue to be solely funded by the ILSC.

Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation chief executive officer Joe Morrison said he was proud to see the Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation launch the Yirrganydji Collective Hub in Stratford. Photo: Supplied.

Yirrganydji Collective Hub and compound space. Photo: Supplied.

“The Yirrganydji Collective Hub is just one example of First Nations peoples’ deep connection to Country, which ultimately represents our culture, life and a way of working,” Mr Morrison said.

“The ILSC is honoured to have funded the project. We look forward to the inspiring outcomes the hub will bring. The future is bright for the Yirrganydji community.”

Dawul Wuru director Lyndal Singleton said the hub would help their youth connect to culture while providing economic and educational opportunities upon finishing school.

“The journey of 15 years of Dawul Wuru Aboriginal Corporation started with four people sitting around the kitchen table wanting to make a difference and find meaningful and genuine employment and training opportunities for Yirrganydji people,” Ms Singleton said.

Dawul Wuru director Lyndal Singleton gave a short presentation at the Yirrganydji Collective Hub opening in Stratford. Photo: Supplied.

“Our focus was the young ones leaving high school – we wanted to give them direction, and a sense of pride as a traditional owner, from the land and sea, culture, language, dance, environment, our landscape, economic opportunities and self-worth, the list is endless.”

It is expected the hub would employ around 50 new staff in the next five years as well as offer research education, training and professional development initiatives in Indigenous cultural knowledge, employment opportunities and work experience.

“In addition to our programs, we now have education, research collaboration with JCU and growth is important to us as we are always striving to benefit Yirrganydji people by providing employment and training opportunities, especially for the next generations,” she said.

The Yirrganydji people traditionally belong to the narrow strip of land between Cairns and Port Douglas.

Originally published as Dawul Wuru opens Yirrganydji Collective Hub in Cairns for Indigenous programs