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BAAKA Cultural Centre being built by David Payne Constructions!

July 22, 2024

Here is this week’s construction update for the BAAKA Cultural Centre being built by David Payne Constructions! The rammed earth being build by Alexander Hickson of Shoalhaven Rammed Earth has been completed.

You can now start to feel the internal spaces and see the restoration of the colonial stone shed on the site which will be an amazing artists workshop.

Earth from Country has been sourced to imbue and connect the building with Country. The colour is being selected to resonate with the existing colonial heritage building on the site (the old Knox & Downs Department Store) and the existing stunning colonial buildings of hashtag
Wilcannia.

The design is the result of a thorough and extensive participatory design process that saw all parts of the community involved. At its core is the sacred keeping place which will enable the repatriation of artifacts and culture. Importantly this and the rest of the building will support the prodution and keeping of contemporary Barkandji culture including the learning of language. Beyond this it will serve as a community centre and hub connecting the community and facilitating interactions and experiences withe tourists. This will no doubt lead to meaningful livelihoods on Country.

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, please be aware the Kaunitz Yeung Architecture website contains images of deceased persons.

The Kaunitz Yeung Architecture team acknowledges all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the nation.
We recognise the original Custodians of Country, their ongoing connection to the land, sky, seas, cultures and communities - paying our respects to Elders, past and present.