This Thursday (31 July), the Bundjalung and broader Northern Rivers community will gather to celebrate a milestone of deep cultural and community importance: the commencement of early works on its proposed Bundjalung Aboriginal Cultural and Education Centre at Namabunda Farm at Alsonville.

Hosted by Bundjalung Tribal Society (BTS), this event marks the beginning of a transformative new chapter in community-led cultural revitalisation, self-determined development, and intergenerational learning.

The ceremony will commence at 2:00pm and will be joined by the Hon. Janelle Saffin MP. 

The new Centre will be a living hub for cultural practice, community connection, and Aboriginal-led education and training in the Northern Rivers.

Namabunda Farm, a 32-hectare property in Alstonville, is already a vibrant place of cultural strength, training and healing. In the past year alone, BTS has delivered more than 45 community workshops and events, reaching over 1,000 participants through:

• Traditional Bundjalung food and cultural programs
• Language revitalisation and art workshops
• Agaricology concepts and land care initiatives
• Machinery and farm tools training
• Wellbeing programs and local school collaborations
• Cultural land management

BTS endeavours to ensure that all activities are delivered by people of expertise in various fields alongside Aboriginal Knowledge Holders and Elders, ensuring cultural integrity and community ownership.

The proposed Aboriginal Cultural & Education Centre will build on this strong foundation, delivering two interconnected, purpose-built spaces:

• The Cultural Space – A large, open-plan area for group gatherings, with audiovisual capabilities and a dedicated presentation zone. It will also be available as a culturally appropriate gathering space during times of natural disaster.
• The Education & Training Space – A more intimate setting for small workshops, complete with a kitchenette and accessible amenities to support BTS’s education programs and community enterprise.

Both buildings will include generous verandas and outdoor learning areas tailored to the Northern Rivers climate, with shared infrastructure designed for sustainable operation.

“This Centre is more than just bricks and mortar, it is a space where culture is strengthened, community is empowered, and the future is shaped on our terms,” said BTS Chairperson, Tracey King. “a place where our knowledge systems will grow, where young people will learn from Elders, and where the broader community can come together with respect and connection.”