The project is underway to relocate the Darebin Intercultural Centre

The project to relocate the Darebin Intercultural Centre is complete.

What’s happened so far?

Community consultation about the building design

From November 2020 to March 2021, Council worked with Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation (Wurundjeri) and a Community Reference Group (CRG) who provided advice to the architect on key design elements for the relocated Centre, in the concept design phase. See the concept drawings in the Document Library (on the right).

The membership of the CRG was decided through an Expression of Interest (EOI) process and an external selection panel. The CRG included eight community representatives who have a strong understanding of and connection with culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Darebin.

The members were tasked with helping Council ensure the relocated Intercultural Centre is welcoming, inclusive, culturally safe and fit-for-purpose for Darebin's many diverse communities. The meeting minutes are in the Document Library.

Construction

In May 2021, Council endorsed the concept designs, the request to go out to tender for construction, and tasked officers with forming a short-term Intercultural Centre Programming Think Tank (PTT) to help shape the future programming and partnerships of the Centre, and to refresh the vision and mission.

Construction of the new Darebin Intercultural Centre was sought through a public open tender process in accordance with Council’s Procurement Policy and Procurement Guidelines. In November 2021, Council awarded the contract to Construction Building Design Pty Ltd.

Construction commenced 1 April 2022 and was completed in January 2023.

Wurundjeri Smoking Ceremony

Before ground was broken at the site of the new Intercultural Centre Wurundjeri Elder, Uncle Ringo hosted a smoking ceremony to cleanse the space and promote the wellbeing of Wurundjeri peoples and guests on Country.

The ceremony marked an important milestone for the project, a significant moment that helps prepare the space for community to breathe new life into it, with a sense of belonging, cultural safety and welcome.

Darebin Intercultural Centre Programming Think Tank

A short-term PTT met 7 times between October 2021 and June 2022 to help shape the renewed Vision and Mission and to co-design the Centre's inaugural Programming Framework.

The membership of the PTT was decided through a targeted EOI process to ensure Darebin’s key priority cohorts were represented. The PTT included thirteen community representatives with a solid understanding of interculturalism.

To read the PTT meeting minutes or the Programming Framework, take a look at the Document Library (on the right).

What’s happening now?

The former Darebin Intercultural Centre that was housed at the Preston Courthouse site has closed its doors to the public.

Construction of the relocated Intercultural Centre at 350 High Street, Preston is now complete.

The Centre was officially launched by the Mayor, Councillor Julie Williams, on Sunday 19 March 2023, and is now open to the community.

For further information about the venue and the program, please visit www.darebin.vic.gov.au/DarebinInterculturalCentre

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