Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre closes, to be transferred to the Wathaurong

A social media post announcing the sudden closure of an Aboriginal cultural centre has been branded “misinformation”.

Narana Cultral Centre in Grovedale. Picture: Alan Barber

Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre has closed its doors after 28 years in operation, but is set to be given a new lease on life under Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative’s management.

The Uniting Church Australia (UCA) ran the not-for-profit centre for tourism and education located on the Surf Coast Hwy in Grovedale.

Narana included a cafe, art gallery, cultural education programs, a retail shop, gardens, an emu farm and more.

A UCA spokeswoman said at the beginning of 2024 Wathaurong indicated its interest in acquiring Narana as an ongoing cultural centre.

“As part of the transition, Narana will immediately begin to close down its current operations in preparation for handover,” the spokeswoman said.

“It is a sign of the church’s commitment to the covenant and reconciling relationship with First Peoples that this centre and the land be returned to the First Peoples’ community of the land on which Narana sits.”

The cultural centre announced its “immediate closure” on social media on Tuesday evening, but did not announce the transfer.

“It is with heavy hearts to announce that as of the 25th of June 2024, Narana Creations Centre will be closing its doors,” the post said.

“We thank every one of our loyal customers for your support over the past 28 years it has not gone unnoticed.

“But unfortunately we are now here to announce that Narana will not be open to (the) public.”

Wathaurong chief executive Simon Flagg said the social media post announcing the sudden closure of Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre was “disappointing”.

“This exciting announcement of an Aboriginal cultural centre being placed into Aboriginal community hands has been pre-empted with negative social media comments and confusion within both the Aboriginal community and the wider community who have enjoyed visiting the space over the years,” he said. `

Mr Flagg said this was an opportunity for the Aboriginal community controlled organisation to lead a cultural healing and education in a location that has become widely known as a place for people to learn about Aboriginal culture.

“This space will now directly benefit our Aboriginal community with the ownership and management being with Wathaurong,” he said.

Mr Flagg said Wathaurong was still in process of purchasing the property from Uniting Church and would re-open Narana under Wathaurong management in the months to come.

UCA chairman Greg Crowe said said the original Facebook post was “misinformation”.

“Simon Flagg and I are both very disappointed that the social media posts have misrepresented the process that has been taking place in the lead up,” he said.

“There is a wonderful story to be told with Narana and Wathaurong and it has a wonderful future ahead for both First Nations people and as a continued listening and learning space for all people.”

Uncle Vince Ross, the founder of Narana Creations said there would be a joint announcement coming in time from Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, the UCA and Wathaurong.

A ceremony of thanks and gratitude, and celebration of transfer with the Wathaurong community, will be held at a date to be decided.

Originally published as Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre closes, to be transferred to the Wathaurong