Aurukun learning hub connects community and culture

Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Curtis Pitt, says Aurukun’s refurbished Indigenous Knowledge Centre will inspire life-long learning, build community involvement, and help preserve local culture for future generations.                             

Mr Pitt was in Aurukun today (Thursday 24 November) to join the local community in marking the official opening of the Wik Mungkan Indigenous Knowledge Centre after a $120,000 refurbishment.

“The Wik Mungkan Indigenous Knowledge Centre’s extensive refurbishment represents a commitment to strengthen community, advance knowledge and inspire Aurukun’s current and future generations,” Mr Pitt said.

“It provides a valuable avenue for local people to participate more in community life through improved access to new technologies, while opening up literacy and learning opportunities.

“It’s a warm and welcoming space where people of all ages can read, write, discover, create, communicate and digitally connect with communities across the world to share stories.” 

Aurukun Mayor Dereck Walpo said the Wik Mungkan Indigenous Knowledge Centre would give the Aurukun community services such as WiFi, computer access and book lending, that people in urban areas took for granted. 

“Our children will now have the opportunity to access early reading programs and our elders will finally have a place where their culture and stories will be preserved,” he said. 

Mr Pitt said the Indigenous Knowledge Centre would help preserve and share Aurukun’s Indigenous culture and heritage. 

“It’s a place for locals to connect with communities across the globe and help share Aurukun’s culturally rich and dynamic life stories,” he said.

“As a Knowledge Centre it will also help record, preserve and support local knowledge, culture and heritage to ensure it is carried into the future. 

“Fittingly, the centre is named after some of the traditional peoples of the Cape York Peninsula.” 

Mr Pitt said the centre – housing a library, community radio facility and cultural hub – would also be used for skills training, workshops and meetings.

“In addition to providing library services, online tools and educational resources, it will become a hub for community to learn, inspire and celebrate culture together,” he said.

“It will be a place for lifelong learning – providing First 5 Forever early literacy programs to help babies and toddlers, through to Tech Savvy Seniors programs introducing older community members to basic IT skills including how to navigate social media and access government or other services and information.

“I congratulate Mayor Dereck Walpo and the Aurukun Shire Council and the State Library of Queensland for their shared commitment in supporting this wonderful community facility.” 

State Librarian and CEO, Vicki McDonald said State Library of Queensland was a strong supporter of Queensland’s Indigenous Knowledge Centre network, and was pleased to see Wik Mungkan IKC reopened. 

“This is the result of a strong partnership between the Aurukun Shire Council and State Library, to ensure the whole community benefits from locally accessible cultural, learning and creative development opportunities,” Ms McDonald said. 

“We’re very pleased to have provided professional training and development, and financial support for the revitalisation of the Wik Mungkan IKC.” 

Background information: 

• The State Government provided a $28,000 subsidy towards the $120,000 refurbishment by Aurukun Shire Council. 
• The government, through the State Library of Queensland, has provided funds to6taling almost $97,000 in the past two years for the IKC’s operations and ongoing and one-off programs. 
• The Wik Mungkan Indigenous Knowledge Centre is managed and staffed by Aurukun Shire Council. It operates 10am-2pm and 3pm-6pm, Tuesday to Friday.
• Working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Shire Councils, State Library of Queensland has 23 Indigenous Knowledge Centres (IKCs) operating across Queensland.
• State Library of Queensland funds and facilitates the centres, providing ongoing support through staff training, refreshing collections, and delivering programs to sustain the transfer of knowledge. 
• For more information about Indigenous Knowledge Centres please visit www.slq.qld.gov.au/about-us/indigenous-knowledge-centres.

Media contact: 0447 316 432