Press Releases

17 January 2005

Royal Botanic Gardens Wins $118,000 Grant for Aboriginal Project in Cranbourne

The Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, Aboriginal communities and eight local Governments in Victoria’s south east have been awarded an $118,000 grant for a new collaborative cultural venture.

The grant, announced by the Acting Minister for the Arts, Jacinta Allan and Cranbourne MP Jude Perera, will help employ an Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer.

Mr Perera said the role reflected the importance of the Royal Botanic Gardens of Cranbourne to the local community.

"This project, a collaboration between cultural organisations, local government, and community groups is a great example of how we can consolidate our cultural and environmental heritage," he said.

"I look forward to seeing some exciting and important outcomes from this funding."

The role has been created to educate the broader community about indigenous culture and to help local Aboriginals maintain their cultural links

The Liaison Officer will work closely with the Inter Council Aboriginal Consultative Committee, the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne, the Aboriginal ancestral custodial group - the Boonerwrung - and the Indigenous and wider communities.

Based at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Cranbourne the Community Liaison Officer will help Aboriginal people in the region to maintain their connection to ‘country’ and convey Indigenous culture and self expression to the wider community.

The role has been created to:

• strengthen access, engagement and participation by the Aboriginal community in the remnant bushland at the site;
• educate the wider community about Aboriginal culture through works of art and other means;
• encourage cultural tourism and educational programs in Victoria’s south-eastern region;
• support local learning and employment pathways for Aboriginal people in the region; and
• promote reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities in the region

Dr Philip Moors, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens said: "We are delighted to receive Arts Victoria’s support for the position of South-east region Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer. This role will make a significant contribution to the development of the Australian Garden, as well as being able to make a contribution to the local Indigenous community."

The Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer will be employed full time for two years.

The role is one of six new positions in regional and outer suburban Victoria to be created as a result of the latest round of Arts Victoria’s Community Liaison Officers and Professionals in Residence funding program.

"The grants totalling $260,611 will enable cultural organisations in regional and outer suburban Victoria to make appointments to increase community participation in cultural activities," Ms Allan said.

She said the program was a key initiative of the Bracks Government’s arts policy Creative Capacity +, Arts for all Victorians.

"This latest round of funding reflects the strong commitment to community access, participation and engagement which lies at the heart of Creative Capacity +, the Bracks Government’s ten year policy for the arts and culture in Victoria.

"These grants do more than boost visitor numbers to venues and events. They establish active community partnerships where ordinary people can help shape the cultural activities and values in their neighbourhood and region" she said.

The Community Liaison Officers and Professionals in Residence program is supported by the Victorian Government through the Community Support Fund. It is one of a suite of community-oriented arts funding programs managed by Arts Victoria.