Victoria launches first Aboriginal Arts hub in Bendigo, Australia

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Victoria is set to enrich its cultural and tourism landscape with the establishment of its inaugural Aboriginal arts and tourism hub, strategically located in Bendigo’s core. This development was highlighted during a visit by Maree Edwards, the Member for Bendigo West, who was representing Minister for Employment Vicki Ward. Edwards introduced the new DUMAWUL Cultural Tourism and Creative Arts Hub, an initiative spearheaded by the traditional owners group DJAARA, and backed by the Allan Labor Government.

The hub is envisioned as a dynamic space where the social enterprise DUMAWUL can expand its array of cultural tourism products and tours that showcase the region’s rich heritage. This venue is designed to nurture both emerging and seasoned artists by providing a platform for workshops and exhibitions. Moreover, it is set to serve as the foundation for the Malaymia Mang Creative Arts Festival, an annual event celebrated in Bendigo.

An additional feature of DUMAWUL’s offerings includes an engaging immersive walking tour, set to be further enriched through the introduction of the Djaara Cultural Tourism and Cultural Creative Arts Trail within the new hub. This trail invites visitors to traverse ancient trade routes across Bendigo, offering insights into their historical significance and operations.

The financial underpinning for the hub comes from the Labor Government’s Yuma Yirramboi (Invest in Tomorrow) Strategy, which delineates a $25 million allocation towards Aboriginal employment and business initiatives over its initial two years.

Furthermore, the government’s support extends to four Aboriginal economic and creative hubs throughout Victoria, including the operational Murran in Geelong, spearheaded by Ngarrimilli, alongside other hubs set to open in Gippsland and Ballarat.

The establishment of Victoria’s first Aboriginal arts and tourism hub in Bendigo is anticipated to significantly benefit the region’s tourism sector. By providing a central venue for local artists to exhibit their work and for traditional owners to conduct cultural tours and programs, the hub promises to attract a wider audience of visitors eager to engage with the rich Aboriginal heritage of the area.

The incorporation of educational tours, such as the immersive walking tour and the Djaara Cultural Tourism and Cultural Creative Arts Trail, offers tourists unique insights into the ancient trade routes and the history of Bendigo, enhancing the overall appeal of the region as a tourist destination.

Moreover, the hub’s role in supporting the Malaymia Mang Creative Arts Festival and various workshops and exhibitions will further cement Bendigo’s reputation as a cultural hotspot, potentially leading to increased visitation. The government’s investment in the hub and other similar initiatives across Victoria underscores a commitment to promoting Aboriginal employment, business, and cultural understanding, thereby contributing to the sustainable growth of the tourism industry in the region and beyond.

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