ACHAA’s Regional Conference the First at New Yarkuwa Centre
02-06-2025
It was a proud moment for ACHAA members to be the first gathering at the new Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre in Deniliquin on Wamba Wamba Perrepa Perrepa Country.
ACHAA’s Regional Conference and Cultural Gathering focused on Engaging Our Communities, highlighting how member centres hold pivotal roles in supporting and connecting their communities as cultural spaces.
Yarkuwa was the perfect host to exemplify the theme. Creating their new home was a whole of community effort. The tour of its facilities including gallery and workshop, conference facilities and office space for the team of 20 staff inspired the more than 40 ACHAA delegates. (See separate story on the Yarkuwa opening).
Presentations were as varied as the communities ACHAA members represent, speaking to their unique approaches, engagements and challenges. Discussions underscored a uniting message that community and culture are inextricably linked. ACHAA CE0 Steve Miller said: “Together, our gatherings renew the strength of the shared approach of Living Centre for Living Cultures, that cultural participation enhances community life. Then communities and cultures grow stronger together.
The theme unpacked so many valuable insights through practical examples. Yarkuwa emphasised responsive programming, aligning their initiatives with the evolving needs of the Wamba Wamba/Perrepa Perrepa community. Their approach told us of the importance of adaptive programming for the best cultural education and heritage preservation, fit for community.
Dhariwaa Elders Group spoke to a focus on creating greater and safer communities through direct engagement with Caring for Country. Their efforts highlight the significance of community-led development and environmental care and custodianship from their Walgett centre on Gamilaraay Country, with a passionate advocacy for healthy rivers. They brought their Ranger team to connect with Yarkuwa’s own Kolety Werkul Rangers.
Condobolin’s Wiradjuri Study Centre, Wiradjuri Country, and Trangie’s Wungunja Cultural Centre on Wiradjuri/Wongaibon Country, among many other centres spoke to youth empowerment, developing programs that engage young people in cultural practices and leadership opportunities for future generations.
Western Sydney’s Muru Mittigar demonstrated a holistic approach through their Culture, Country, and Community programs, focussing on healing and personal growth through education and cultural connection.
Other ACHAA members from Armidale, Bourke, Wellington, Kempsey, Mudgee, Albury and Western Sydney reinforced and added even more community engagement examples to the presentations and discussions.
For two days in May, ACHAA members are their own community. Many describe the experience as “getting the family together”, a space for sharing, learning, and strengthening the community bonds of the NSW Aboriginal cultural sector anchored in place-based practice.
ACHAA is grateful to the NSW Aboriginal Land Council for their support of the ACHAA 2025 Regional Conference and Cultural Gathering timed with the opening of the fantastic new Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre. ACHAA also acknowledges the tireless efforts of Yarkuwa team members and friends who contributed to the success of the conference while put the finishing touches to the centre and topping it all with a memorable opening event for more than 200 people.
ACHAA’s next conference will be our Metro Cultural Institution gathering at the Museum of Sydney on 25 and 26 November 2025. For more information contact hello@achaa.com.au
