Australia’s first Indigenous-led educational centre opened its doors in Victoria today.
The Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence, in Yorta Yorta Country, incorporated Aboriginal knowledge into its design and programs.
The Shepparton complex was created through a partnership between the Victorian Government, the University of Melbourne, local indigenous think tank Kaiela Institute and the Rumbalara Football Netball Club.
University of Melbourne Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) Professor Barry Judd said the opening of the centre represented decades of effort to place First Nations at the forefront of higher education.
“Munarra represents much more than a physical space. It is laying the foundation for a future where Indigenous Australians’ history, culture, and potential are not just acknowledged but integral to our nation’s progress,” Professor Judd said.
Munarra Chairperson Travis Morgan said the centre was born out of the Rumbalara Football Netball Club “as the cultural heart” and was a path to a brighter educational future for Aboriginal people and the broader community in the region.
Mr Morgan said the university’s foundational partnership with Munarra was crucial to embedding Indigenous knowledge and self-determination into higher education to close the educational gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Munarra Limited, a non-profit incorporation overseen by an Aboriginal-led board of directors, will manage the centre’s daily operations.
