Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre to expand

Forbes’ Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre will triple in size after $270,000 in funding was announced on Friday. 

Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts, Troy Grant, and Nationals candidate for Orange, Scott Barrett, made the announcement at Albion Park.

Deputy Mayor Grant Clifton said the expansion would be a significant boost to tourism and culture in the Forbes Shire.

“I think it’s fantastic,” he said.

“From an economic and tourism point of view this will really put Forbes in the spotlight.”

The project application was led by the Forbes Art Society in conjunction with Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre Incorporated and assistance from Forbes Shire Council’s Grants Officer Andrew Rawsthorne. 

It will see the installation of nine new sculptures, an amphitheatre, interpretive panels, additional Wiradjuri artworks and the planting of 200 native shrubs and trees. The project will also see the erection of a building to display Wiradjuri artefacts and host workshops and cultural activities.

Deputy Premier Troy Grant praised the Forbes Art Society for the quality of their proposal. 

“The funding is highly sought after but this project stacked up on a number of fronts,” he said.

Mr Grant said the Wiradjuri Dreaming Centre expansion will reinvigorate the Lake Forbes foreshore, assist to promote Wiradjuri culture and expand tourism in the Shire.

The funds will be provided under the NSW Government’s ClubGRANTS category 3 scheme for arts and culture. 

President of the Forbes Art Society Dr Keith Mullette said work on the project will start early next year and must be completed within two years.

He said the Art Society had worked hand in hand with the local Aboriginal community to create the idea.

“This project will teach children, both primary and secondary, as well as adults about Wiradjuri culture.”