The renovations have seen the garden at Vine Street Centre – home to Neporendi Aboriginal Forum – transformed from a tired space into an inviting meeting place with a functional garden filled with native plants.
The project – with excellent support and materials provided by Bunnings Reynella through a community projects program – includes a new fire pit and surrounding hardwood seating; new pavers and concreting; raised garden beds; a “field of dreams” including a corn crop, various flaxes and other native plants; and shade sails.
Inside the centre, new additions include a professional hanging system for Aboriginal art, and new shelving in the healing room to make it more user-friendly.
City of Onkaparinga Cultural Diversity Officer Elijah Bravington says the upgrade will ensure every square foot of the building and garden is now used.
“It complements the objectives of Neporendi to facilitate happy, healthy, educated, employed and proud ATSI peoples,” Elijah says.
“Neporendi means to come together and go together. We continue to host men and women groups and gardening programs, assist with community events, and partner with other organisations to deliver career services, support and activities such as driver training programs.
“Our aim is to ensure the 60,000 years of our continuing culture survives in the 21st century.”
A launch event for the new upgrades will be held in late November for the centre’s users and partners, including a cultural performance, bush tucker talk and light refreshments.
It’ll be a celebration and a sign of things to come.
For more information on Neporendi, visit its Facebook page.