Situated on a leafy, wide allotment fronting the Surf Coast Highway at Grovedale, Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre is the region’s high-profile hub of Indigenous culture. Operations manager Craig McGough and cultural education initiatives leader Nikayla Bamblett explain to GCK the centre’s relevance to local children and its ongoing role in the wider community.
What is the importance of the centre?
Craig: “Narana plays an important role in the community in providing a welcoming environment to listen and learn about Aboriginal culture in a relaxed atmosphere, where Narana’s friendly staff are only too happy to share their knowledge and experiences with visitors. Narana’s role is especially important when issues of national reconciliation and our shared cultural heritage are so prominent today.”
Has the centre and its program received a good response in the past, what has the response been from the public?
Craig: “It’s hard to believe but Narana has existed in one form or another for over 20 years now, visitors are always surprised at how big Narana is, especially the native bushland gardens and the quality of the cafe and it’s indigenous inspired menu as well as our extensive collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artwork in the gallery. School groups and tour groups including visiting cruise ships always speak about their Narana experience in a really positive way.”
What are the best parts of the centre?
Craig: “The cultural education centre and gallery are extremely popular with visitors, they quickly realise it’s not just a tourism destination but a place which you can really immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture. Cafe Narana is referred to as a ‘hidden gem’ it’s a great place to drop in for a quick coffee by the fireplace, or a long lunch on the deck or just a relaxing walk in the gardens. The gift shop is always a winner with visitors who are looking for a hand-crafted souvenir or gift with a little bit of a difference.”
What do adults get out of the centre?
Nikayla: “Adults are always intrigued by the collection of art and cultural artefacts on display in our cultural education centre, the language group map of Australia is another display which people always react to with a sense of amazement, our goal is see people leave Narana with a better understanding of Aboriginal culture, history and current issues than when they arrived.”
What do children get out of the centre?
Nikayla: “Narana’s school excursions and incursion programs are very popular with kids of all ages as a fun and interactive way to learn. Kids obviously love the playground and visiting our resident emus and searching for the wallabies in the gardens. School holiday programs are usually booked out well in advance and the ever popular boomerang throwing range where people can try their hand at throwing a boomerang and getting it to come back.”
Why should people come and visit the centre?
Craig: “Narana is a great place to visit for locals as well as visitors to the Geelong region, especially around events like Connecting To Country Arts Festival or significant national events like NAIDOC Week, coming up between 3 and 10 July, where there are activities and exhibitions running or days like NaranaFest music festival, which happens in November, which allows people to experience into Aboriginal culture, art and music in a truly unique environment.”
A cultural experience
Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre is an award-winning tourist attraction on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road offering various programs and self-guided tours.
The centre features a cultural display and performance building, an art gallery, a cafe and a retail outlet.
Expert staff deliver education programs on the wonders of Australia’s Indigenous culture, covering everything from Aboriginals’ connection to the land, spirituality, laws, cultural designs, dreaming stories and more.
The gallery exhibits and sells artworks from internationally acclaimed and emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across Australia.
Cafe Narana offers all-day breakfasts and lunch with dishes inspired by indigenous ingredients, while the retail outlet stocks handmade Indigenous items including arts and crafts, didgeridoos, boomerangs and other cultural artefacts.
Visitors are welcome to stroll through the native Curragundi bushland garden, which has abundant wildlife, including resident emus and swamp wallabies.
Plenty of parking, an adventure playground for kids and boomerang-throwing lessons are just some of the other reasons to experience Narana.
