New cultural space taking shape

The new Aboriginal Gathering Place is taking shape at the Quarry Hills Parkland in South Morang.

Construction on the site began in July with spaces thoughtfully designed to honour and reflect the site’s deep cultural significance.

The Aboriginal Gathering Place is fully funded by the City of Whittlesea and will feature indoor and outdoor multi-purpose spaces, including a large community events space for up to 100 people, consulting suites and meeting and quiet rooms. It is a part of Council’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation, which has recently been outlined in City of Whittlesea’s Aboriginal Action Plan 2024–2029.

City of Whittlesea CEO Craig Lloyd said the plan provided a blueprint for supporting cultural, health, education and employment outcomes for Aboriginal residents in the local community.

The Aboriginal Gathering Place’s building and landscape designs on Wurundjeri Country honour the ongoing cultural and spiritual connection the local Aboriginal community has to Country.

"We are proud to have one of the largest Aboriginal populations in metropolitan Melbourne and we will work closely with Aboriginal residents, the Whittlesea Reconciliation Group and the community to ensure we achieve the plan’s goals.” – City of Whittlesea CEO Craig Lloyd

Whittlesea Aboriginal Gathering Place Advisory Group [WAGPAG] co-chair Karen Bryant said the site would serve as a centre for cultural learning, or two-way learning, where both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people could gain knowledge about local Aboriginal history, traditions and values.

Construction is expected to finish in mid-2025. 

For more information visit Aboriginal Gathering Place.