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THE PROJECT
The historic Redfern
Public School currently
comprises four former school buildings on a 1.63 Ha site in the heart of
Redfern.
The Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) has developed a
preliminary master plan design for the proposed Centre. Construction is
expected to commence in early 2007 and is likely to lake a minimum of 18 months
to complete. The Centre will provide accommodation and dining facilities for up
to 100 people, a training field, multi-use classrooms and a 25-metre outdoor
heated pool. Construction cost is estimated at S19 million.
The old school oval will be upgraded to a training field
suitable for Rugby League / Rugby Union and Soccer.
HISTORY
In October 2005, the ILC, the NSW Department of Education
and Training (DET) and the Redfern-Waterloo Authority signed a Heads of
Agreement to enable the ILC to purchase the Redfern Public School.
The ILC and the NSW Government agreed to a joint independent valuation of the
property which valued it at $14.8 million. The NSW Minister for DET has
recently accepted the ILC offer of $14.8 million to purchase the site. At this
stage the ILC expects to take legal ownership of the property in August
September 2006.
THE VISION
The new National Centre for Indigenous Development will
provide recreational, training and accommodation facilities for indigenous
youth from remote and regional Australia.
The following sporting organisations will use the Centre:
- The
National Aboriginal Sports Corporation Australia (bonded by David
Liddiard). - The
Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team
These organisations regularly bring indigenous youth from
across Australia to the Sydney region for venous
sporting events and life development programs.
It is estimated that programs for approximately 5,000 people
are run annually. The Centre will enable these and many more indigenous
organisations to deliver important programs by providing appropriate and
affordable accommodation.
These programs support young indigenous people who have
already reached a level of achievement in their own community and demonstrate
the wide-ranging opportunities that are available to them in their chosen field
of sport, education or training.
In this way the Centre will support broader Government
initiatives to improve educational outcomes and break the cycles of indigenous
youth unemployment and welfare dependency, which can often bring indigenous
youth in contact with the criminal justice system or lead to drug alcohol and
substance abuse.
MORE THAN JUST A
SPORTS FACILITY
The new National Centre for Indigenous Development will
become the hub for a host of activities and organisations.
Other organisations planning to relocate to the new Centre
include:
- The
Police and Community Youth Club (PCYC) is supported by the NSW Government
to fund a purpose-built PCYC on the site that will provide for a range of
sporting, social and structured learning activities for the indigenous
residents of the Redfern area. - Educational
outcomes will be achieved through the provision of classrooms for the
Exodus Tutorial Centre founded by the Reverend Bill Crews. The Exodus
Foundation provides tailored teaming environments to improve the literacy
levels of disadvantaged indigenous students. Exodus will he catering to
the needs of 60 local indigenous children when the Centre is fully
operational
In addition, the indigenous owned and managed Murawina Child
Care Centre and Pre-School is currently accommodated on site. This arrangement
will continue once the new Centre is developed. Murawina provides affordable
long-term day care and pre-school classes for children in the Redfern-Waterloo
area. Murawina is licensed to take up to 69 children, the majority of whom are
indigenous.
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PCYC
The two-level Police & Community Youth Club offers a
variety of sport and recreation facilities for children and adults. On the
ground level it provides indoor activity rooms for sports such as boxing,
taekwondo and other martial arts, dance classes and weight training. Smaller
rooms are used for small meetings of other agencies and community groups, photography
and computer classes. A large sports court for basketball, volleyball,
badminton, indoor soccer and netball, complete with bleacher seating is located
on the upper level. A 25m heated outdoor swimming pool will also be included.
EXODUS
Located on the lower level with its own landscaped outdoor
space, the Exodus Redfern Tutorial Centre will accommodate up to 60 children
with 6 teachers and 6 volunteers. Each child stays a minimum of 6 months up to
12 months.
NASCA
Offices for the National Aboriginal Sports Corporation Australia
are located on the upper level. NASCA works as a close partner with the PCYC.
It organises Rugby League events similar to the Lloyd McDermott Rugby
Development Team. Children will stay at the National Centre for Indigenous
Development for the duration of an event, using the rugby field, dormitories
and related facilities.
MURAWINA
The Murawina Child and Day Care Centre provides childcare
for 59 indigenous and non indigenous children —39 children in the Day Care
Centre and 20 children in the Preschool.
The uniqueness of Murawina is in the contemporary teaching
of indigenous culture that reflects the urban environment we live in. There is
a strong focus on health and nutrition.
LLOYD MCDERMOTT
The Lloyd McDermott Rugby Development Team (LMRDT) is
committed to promote Rugby Union for young aboriginal men and women, so that
the participation rate is increased in future years. It currently organises
rugby and netball events and plans to include other sports in future. Children will
stay at the National Youth Development Centre for the duration of an event,
using the rugby field, the dining and recreation facilities and any of the PCYC
facilities. The dormitories can accommodate up to 80 children and 20 adults. A
central dining and function area, with full kitchen, occupies the 1870s
building.
TRAINING FIELD
A rugby/soccer training field, with parking below, will be available
for the Centre and other users.