Minjerribah Ganaba

Project overview

Led by Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC), the project:

• established facilities to support and enable positive learning exchanges
• increases the skills and capacity of Quandamooka people and residents on the island
• brings together learners, providers, community members and local businesses
• produces high-quality learning materials and activities drawing on the island's physical, social, cultural and ecological history and current context
• develops education and training as an economic activity by coordinating, delivering and promoting the island as a destination for education and training to attract education focused visitors.

To deliver this training, QYAC worked with the Queensland Government's Department of Employment, Small Business and Training and the University of Queensland.

The guiding principle is to build respect for and recognition of Quandamooka custodianship, language and culture.

QYAC will continue to work in partnership with the Queensland Government to improve education and training opportunities, and provide meaningful pathways to employment and economic prosperity for Quandamooka People.

QYAC will advocate for connection to culture, language and history embedded in young people’s learning. QYAC will also leverage skilling and re-training opportunities through the Vocational Education and Training in Schools initiative, user choice (apprenticeships and traineeships), Certificate 3 Guarantee, the free TAFE and free apprenticeships for under 25s initiatives, and the Skilling Queenslanders for Work programs.

Pre-COVID, Employment and Training of Traditional Owners as well as community members saw unprecedented levels of formal training and staff development at Ganaba.

Current operations

QYAC can facilitate training at Minjerribah Ganaba based on identified needs. For more information, visit the http://www.qyac.net.au.

Facility refurbishment

QYAC has refurbished the old secondary school campus in Gumpi (Dunwich) to provide a modern venue for education, training and employment on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island).

Minjerribah Ganaba has a variety of flexible spaces: five large seminar rooms, commercial training kitchen, meeting spaces, amenities, indoor and outdoor workshop spaces and studios, and shared spaces for gathering and performance including a covered outdoor ceremonial space and fire pit.

Quandamooka Elders have a meeting room, Quandamooka artists have indoor and outdoor weaving areas and studios, and there are dedicated cultural heritage conservation, exhibition and storage spaces. There is also a Jandai Language Centre and workshops to revive traditions such as the carving of canoes and other art forms.

Designed by Reddog Architects, the refurbishment was managed by the Queensland Government's Department of Energy and Public Works on behalf of QYAC.