Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre opens
Create NSW joined local and visiting First Nations Elders and Knowledge Holders, artists and creatives, cultural workers and community members from across NSW for the official opening of the Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre located in the western Riverina community of Deniliquin on Wamba Wamba Perrepa Perrepa Country in south-western NSW.
Create NSW
Fittingly, the same week, the Aboriginal Culture, Heritage and Arts Association (ACHAA) held its twice yearly cultural conference at the new centre, igniting a shared spirit of open learning, First Nations storytelling, and positive collaboration.
The gathering provided an opportunity for cultural safety practices to be exercised to allow participants to yarn-up culture, our languages, and artistic practices all the while conscious that participants were fostering connections between organisations dedicated to First Nations heritage and the arts.
Yarkuwa staff created a welcoming atmosphere that set the tone for the next two days of insightful deep-listening and cultural exchange. As per cultural protocol, the ceremony of Welcome to Country aligns participants to a specific Country, in this instance, the Wamba Wamba Perrepa Perrepa Ancestors and to the land upon which all were gathered in Deniliquin. The natural flow-on responses from participants reinforced each participant’s own cultural safeties and highlighted the importance of acknowledging the Ancestors of that specific Country, to commit ourselves further to contributing to sharing and equally maintaining First Nations knowledges; setting the stage for the few days of cultural outcomes.
ACHAA Conference 2025, Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre - image: DCITHS
ACHAA Conference attendees were taken on a walk-through of Yarkuwa’s 20+ year history. All attendees felt the resilience and strong dedication of Yarkuwa Chairperson Aunty Jeanette Crew AOM and General Manager, Uncle David Crew to the community in maintaining its cultural identity.
The tour offered firsthand insight into Yarkuwa’s long sustained advocacy work, presentations on community initiatives such as language and school programs, youth engagement, and ranger activities. These all support First Nations young people and contribute to sustaining cultural heritage that was inspirational to witness. Additionally, these programs demonstrate the positive and proactive approach Yarkuwa has committed to in strengthening Perrepa Perrepa/Barrapa Barrapa identity and specific connection to that Country.
Visiting ACHAA members were invited to expand the cultural conversations and share their updates from their own communities from across NSW. Representatives from Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative, Dunghutti-Ngaku, and Armidale Aboriginal Cultural Centre & Keeping Place shared their news, nurturing artistic and cultural expression, followed by presentations from Wadjar Gallery/Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Bourke First Nations Gallery/Muda Aboriginal Corporation. All of these shared discussions highlighted the diversity of specific approaches taken across different communities that practice, celebrate and maintain First Nations heritages of local artists and creatives and community.
Image: Create NSW
The week’s highlight occurred after the sun had set with the official opening of the Yarkuwa Indigenous Cultural Centre, with 150+ guests and VIPs witnessing this momentous occasion, the culmination of a multi-stage development and refurbishment project over several years, proudly funded by the NSW Government’s Creative Capital Fund.
This official opening was a celebration of the new building, and everything the local community stands for. Aunty Jenny Crew welcomed visitors and participants, her words carrying warmth, strength, resilience, and wisdom of generations before her. As she cut the ribbon in front of a packed room of Deniliquin locals, community members, conference attendees, and visitors, it marked a new chapter for Yarkuwa, a place of on-going knowledge, cultural connections, and its’ preservation that will continue to serve the community for many years to come.
Image Create NSW
Over the following day, the momentum of the conference continued as First Nations-led organisations shared their updates, with Dharriwaa Elders Group, Maliyan Cultural Centre, Wiradjuri Study Centre, and Wungunja Cultural Centre all sharing their experiences in promoting First Nations perspectives within their communities. Muru Mittigar, The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre, Arts OutWest and Murray Arts joined the conversation, further broadening the scope of discussion on cultural sustainability.
Create NSW joined the final session of the First Nations Digitisation Project – a three-year initiative supported by Create NSW, the State Library of NSW and ACHAA – engaging four cultural centres held alongside the ACHAA conference. This was a critical moment for ACHAA members to come together and consider the future of their digitisation projects and centres. The discussions on digitisation Programs for 2025-26 and beyond were filled with exciting possibilities, underscoring the commitment to expanding opportunities for First Nations cultural and artistic expression. It was heartening to see the collaborative spirit and strategic thinking that will shape the next phase of ACHAA’s work in the Digitisation space with its members.
Throughout the conference, the exchange of knowledge, the sharing of First Nations lived-experiences, and the commitments of culture of all participants reinforced the importance of First Nations-led initiatives in shaping the future in regional NSW.
The ACHAA Yarkuwa Conference and Cultural Gathering 2025 was more than a meeting. It was a gathering of undeniable affirmation of First Nations resilience and of seeing our regional First Nations artists and creatives flex their cultural strengths. The connections and conversations will guide meaningful action, ensuring that living cultures remain vibrant and celebrated in every community.
Beyond the yarns, panels and presentations, what made this gathering truly special was the way the space inspired connection, dialogue and energy, cementing Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre as a leading cultural centre in regional NSW.