Council celebrates Keeping Place funding

Council is celebrating yesterday’s announcement of $846,000 in State Government funding to complete the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place in Armidale.

The NSW Member for Northern Tablelands, Adam Marshall, announced the Regional Cultural Fund grant to complete an additional gallery and construct a carpark for the facility.

Council is a strong supporter of the cultural centre, providing annual funding for the complex and backing the application for this grant. In supporting the application, Council gave a commitment to upgrade footpath access to the centre.

Council’s Service Leader Community and Customer Service, Krista Schmidt, and other community service staff were joined by Councillors Bradley Widders, Di Gray and Andrew Murat at yesterday’s announcement.

The centre was constructed in the late 1980s and a major upgrade was undertaken almost two decades ago, when the gallery space was left incomplete. It will now be finished by the latest funding.

Councillor Bradley Widders said it was vital the region had a high-standard community facility to foster Aboriginal culture.

“I remember going there as a primary school student and the impact it had on me as an Aboriginal kid,” Cr Widders said. 

“The improvements planned through this funding will ensure the centre and Keeping Place continue to resonate so strongly with Aboriginal community members and the wider community.”

Published on 05 Jun 2018