Baaka Cultural Centre Development and Activation

The $9.5M Baaka Cultural Centre is currently under development in the far western town of Wilcannia. 

The centre will raise awareness of the culture and traditions of Aboriginal people of the middle and lower Darling River region and support cultural initiatives in the wider community. It will be an art and culture hub with a keeping place to repatriate and preserve art, language and artefacts of the Barkintji/Paakantji peoples and a place for past, present and future artists to display their works. 

The Centre will also acknowledge the influence of the post-colonial period which helped to weave the fabric of the Wilcannia community as it is today. It will also include a language lab with the intent to help preserve local dialects and Barkintji/Paakantji stories in language and continue the strong oral traditions of the community.

RDA Orana is working closely with the Board of the Baaka Cultural Centre Wilcannia Aboriginal Corporation and Central Darling Shire Council to provide executive support alongside RDA Project Officer, Gail Russell, which includes developing a fundraising strategy, arts and tourism plans, operating plans, grants management, business development, and supporting the Centre's opening exhibition.