The Dharriwaa Elders Group (DEG) resolved in 2005 to attempt the impossible - bring the old "Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs" community hall in Walgett, back to life.
The building was opened in 1971, and was closed for the last time when its owner went into liquidation in the 1980s. Murdi Paaki Housing Corporation bought it then and it has been derilect and slowly vandalised since.
For many years the The Dharriwaa Elders Group Speaker George Rose has lobbied the NSW state government for renovation funds which were promised twice. Walgett has no community hall otherwise. The DEG entered into a partnership with the building's owner, Murdi Paaki Regional Housing Corporation, ("MPHRC"), to work towards its renovation and future management. MPRHC resolved to give the building to the DEG in 2005. With the help of the NSW Dept of State and Regional Development, the DEG employed a consultant to improve its draft Business Plan for the hall. This was completed in May 2006. In August 2006 a scope of works was undertaken by the NSW Dept of Aboriginal Affairs - contractor GHD. This report recommends major structural and other renovations required to bring the building up to current Australian Standards.
We then began to try to bring together federal and state government with the private sector for the renovation project. The University of NSW Faculty of the Built Environment wortked with us in November 2006 to develop a research project for their students to assist the community to bring life back to this culturally significant building. So far this project proposal has not been funded but the DEG will support it in whatever way it can.
Meanwhile we discovered that the Commonwealth Government's Dept of Family and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs controls a caveat on the building's title which decrees that it must always be owned by the Walgett Aboriginal community. We and the building's owner thought that the terms of the caveat would be satisfied by the DEG and its plans, but the federal government thinks otherwise, and has blocked the owners from giving the building to the DEG.
We have limited energy and now (September 2007) need to devote our time to finding our own premises. Now the DEG cannot actively pursue this project, but will support other feasible initiatives. Will the building survive or will it be bulldozed as it becomes increasingly vandalised and unsafe? Stay tuned.