ABORIGINAL CULTURE AT THE HEART OF TOURISM
Darwin’s spectacular new Larrakia Cultural Centre promises to be one of the flagships of Aboriginal tourism when it opens later this year.
It will showcase the culture of Darwin’s Traditional Owners.
The building “flies” out from the Waterfront over the sea – a representation of the ancestral Dreamtime bird that protects Larrakia land.
The $45 million centre, which was designed by Darwin-based Rossi Architects in collaboration with Alice Springs-based Susan Dugdale & Associates, was 30 years in the making.
Larrakia Development Corporation had to negotiate for the land and then a grant from the Aboriginal Benefits Trust, which is funded by mining royalties.
The centre includes a restaurant – with a beautiful view across Darwin’s near-pristine harbour – plus museum, art gallery, shop, conference rooms, an outdoor stage and saltwater ponds.
Former Larrakia Development Corporation chief executive Nigel Browne says Larrakia are proud of their culture and want to share it with as many people as possible.
He believes it will become a major tourist destination – an important place where Larrakia people can tell their own story to their children and to visitors.
Mr Browne says opportunities to enhance the Indigenous experience are endless, but already envisages Indigenous people performing on stage and sunset harbour cruises ending with dinner at the restaurant.
LARRAKIA CULTURAL CENTRE TAKING SHAPE
His daughter Telecia says the centre will remind Larrakia that they have a long and proud heritage.
“This place is so important to Larrakia people,” she says. “When I have kids I want them to come here and learn about Larrakia culture – I want them to feel the history.”
A centrepiece of the cultural centre will be the 3.5 metre Larrakia native title petition, the first petition in Australia to call for recognition of all Aboriginal people as the Traditional Owners of the country.
Ancient Larrakia artefacts taken to Britain more than 100 years ago have been brought back to be displayed in the cultural centre – and there are plans to approach the British Museum to repatriate even more.
“The museum won’t even consider giving back our artefacts unless we can prove that we have a safe place for them,” says Mr Browne. “We have that now. The artefacts should come home.” TQ
