Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert today opened the refurbished Dulka Yuppata Koorie Cultural and Indigenous Training Centre at SuniTAFE’s Mildura campus.
Translated as “Place of Learning”, the centre is a major gathering space for Indigenous students on campus and the home of staff working with the more than 300 Indigenous students at SuniTAFE.
The $1 million refurbishment includes a new classroom block and reception centre, with the centre’s buildings clustered around a new courtyard in the shape of a Murray Cod, which is a local totem.
The centre houses a gallery displaying student art works and a library of Indigenous resources and offers VCAL and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Arts programs.
The central courtyard’s landscaping is being done by SuniTAFE students, led by Tracey Mollison, who was a finalist in this year’s Victorian Training Awards’ Koorie Student of the Year category.
The Andrews Labor Government is overhauling the training and TAFE system with Skills First which will see extra funding for SuniTAFE from 2017.
Already SuniTAFE has received more than $11 million from the Labor Government since 2015, including $2.9 million in Community Service funding, part of the TAFE Rescue Fund.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Training and Skills and Member for Northern Victoria Steve Herbert
“The Dulka Yuppata Koorie Cultural and Indigenous Training Centre is an important hub for Indigenous activities on campus and for the local community.”
“This Government is transforming Victoria’s training system which is a win for SuniTAFE. Skills First will include additional funding to address the additional costs TAFEs face as public training providers.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020