New leaders at Brambuk centre

Brambuk cultural centre at Halls Gap is set for change as authorities explore how to best manage Grampians National Park assets into the future.

Parks Victoria and a Strategic Partnership Committee of Traditional Owner corporations are exploring business-development opportunities for the iconic centre.

Brambuk – the National Park and Cultural Centre, opened in 1989 as a hub for cultural learning, interpretation and indigenous training.

It is home to a Parks Victoria office, park information centre and Aboriginal cultural centre.

Parks Victoria has taken over as temporary centre manager while discussions designed to ‘reinvigorate’ the hub are underway.

Brambuk Living Cultural Centre Co-operative had been running the centre but its lease expired on June 30.

Parks Victoria regional director Jason Borg said the management change was timely considering development activities across the park.

“Given the formation of a Strategic Partnership Committee of Traditional Owner corporations, and with the Grampians Peaks Trail and a new park management plan on the horizon, it is an opportune time to look at options to reinvigorate Brambuk and build new opportunities for the involvement of Traditional Owner corporations,” he said.

“Within a few years it is hoped the centre is fully managed by a Traditional Owner enterprise.

“Until then, Parks Victoria will focus on working with Traditional Owners to position Brambuk as a place that delivers long-term benefits to the community, local businesses, Traditional Owners and the national park.”

The partnership committee includes representatives from Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation and Barengi Gadjin Land Council.

Brambuk, unique in design and based on thousands of years of rich human influence and cultural connection, opened with considerable fanfare.

It represents a functional monument and learning centre acknowledging thousands of years of Aboriginal culture throughout the region.

It is also a primary tourist attraction at Halls Gap.

Grampians National Park contains the densest concentration of rock-art paintings in Victoria.

Parks Victoria announced plans in February to establish a fresh management approach to the centre.