Media Releases

A $900,000 funding commitment from the Victorian Coalition Government’s Indigenous Community Infrastructure Program will assist the Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative build a new community centre at the Harris St Reserve in Warrnambool.

This funding will supplement $1.1 million from the Gunditjmara Aboriginal Corporation to finance the $2 million project.

The Cooperative’s offices were partly destroyed by fire in 2010 and it has been operating out of temporary facilities since that time.

“The Victorian Government is pleased to support the Warrnambool community by contributing these funds for stage 1 of the Cooperative’s project to ensure the Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative will have a proper facility to serve its members and the greater community,” Mrs Powell said.

The Guditjamara Aboriginal Cooperative helps deliver health related services, cultural and education activities, housing and accommodation; aged and child care, employment, training and education and juvenile justice programs to the Aboriginal community of Warrnambool.

“The Victorian Government recognises the importance of providing culturally appropriate services to Aboriginal communities,” Mrs Powell said.

“The new facility will double as an administrative and program delivery centre for the Cooperative.

“The Indigenous Community Infrastructure Program is one of the Victorian Government’s programs to help Close the Gap on Aboriginal disadvantage in Victoria,” Mrs Powell said.

Since 1991, Victoria’s Indigenous Community Infrastructure Program has supported Indigenous organisations to purchase, upgrade or redevelop more than 90 properties across Victoria.