The Burraja Cultural Centre, which closed its doors in December last year due to funding constraints, acted as a cultural educational precinct for both the indigenous and white community with a focus on Aboriginal life.

Albury Council’s Aboriginal liaison officer Liz Heta said it could help solve some of the issues within the Aboriginal community.

“It enables youth to be mentored about indigenous culture and learn cultural activities like spear-throwing, dancing, playing the didgeridoo and stone-knapping, the traditional means of fashioning stone tools,” she said.

Burraja, located at the back of the Hot House Theatre on the Lincoln Causeway, was built by the indigenous community in 2003 as part of a community development and employment program.

Parklands Albury-Wodonga originally leased the site and indigenous rangers were employed until last year.

Ms Heta said the centre was popular when it was open.

“It attracted a lot of interest from school groups and the general public,” she said.

“It’s also a chance for the Aboriginal community to share our culture with white people.”

An information session was held yesterday for the Local Indigenous Network to discuss the future of the centre.

“It closed because there was no ongoing support after the old CEDP or work for the dole program was closed,” she said.

“We are looking at what partners we can bring in so we can work with other groups to develop Burraja as a potential tourist destination.”

Ms Heta said the forum aimed at discussing future partnerships and how funding for the project might be maintained in order that it became independent.