Overview
Redfern's historic post office building is set to get a new lease on life, with plans to transform it into a dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural hub.
Having bought the 136-year-old heritage site at the beginning of November, City of Sydney has now announced plans to put it to good use as part of its Eora Journey project, celebrating the cultures of Indigenous communities in the area.
The CoS's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisory panel helped to select the site, which is just a stone's throw from many key Aboriginal organisations, including the Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern and the Aboriginal & Pacific Art gallery.
"Redfern has always been recognised nationwide as the epicentre of the Aboriginal rights struggle," explains former co-chair of the panel, Millie Ingram. "Our history should be on display for all people to learn and know about Aboriginal Australia and its history, before and after 1788."
The Eora Journey, meaning 'the people's journey' in local Gadigal language, incorporates four different CoS projects, with the creation of this new knowledge and cultural centre to complement other ongoing works. They include building recognition through seven major public art projects, implementing a focused economic action plan, and developing a signature Aboriginal event to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.
The post office's current tenants will remain there until later next year, while CoS consults with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities on ways to best use the cultural hub.
Image: Dan Hocking