Stories the heart of Gwoonwardu Mia

Visitors to the Gwoonwardu Mia Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre now have a unique opportunity to experience and celebrate the five language groups of the region.

The Carnarvon centre was re-opened late last year, putting it back on a sustainable path and creating an impressive cultural tourism destination for the region.

Centre Manager Lionel Quartermaine says the response had been fantastic and locals and tourists were impressed by the stories and experiences.

“Gwoonwardu Mia is hugely important for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people because it creates a respectful space for Western Australians and tourists to experience the culture and stories of Aboriginal people that are unique to this region,” Mr Quartermaine says.

“The stories are extraordinary. They are vibrant and beautiful. They can also be painful and contested. But they are authentic and unique to the Traditional Owners of this land.”

The Centre features an award-winning exhibition Burlganyja Wanggaya: Old People Talking — Listen, Learn and Respect, which shares the stories of Gascoyne Aboriginal people in their own words, using text, images, audio and film.

“This is an important cultural tourism asset and we want everyone who visits us to walk away feeling inspired by their experiences here.”

Mr Quartermaine says for tourists — especially those encountering Aboriginal culture and heritage for the first time — the Centre showcases the influence of Gascoyne Aboriginal people on Western Australia’s cultural landscape.

“This Centre is about celebrating and recognising the Aboriginal culture of the five language groups of the Gascoyne Region.”

Gwoonwardu Mia features spacious conference and meeting rooms equipped with video conferencing capability and a magnificent outdoor performance space, grounds and gardens which are based on the region’s plants and how they are used by local Aboriginal people. The spaces are available for hire and a café opens in February. There’s also an emerging art centre facility.

Gwoonwardu Mia was re-opened in November following an official ceremony involving Traditional Owners, Elders and the Government Ministers responsible for securing the Centre’s future funding.

From October to March, Gwoonwardu Mia is open Monday to Friday 9.30am-3.30pm.

For bookings and enquiries: gahcc@gahcc.com.au or (08) 9941 1989.