A groundbreaking new facility that celebrates the world's oldest living culture has opened in Shepparton, Victoria, Australia. The Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence, designed by ARM Architecture in collaboration with landscape architects Emergent Studios, represents a significant milestone in Indigenous-centered design and education on Yorta Yorta Country.
The 1,800-square-meter facility, completed in 2025, serves as a world-class education, sporting, and public gathering space that honors First Peoples' knowledge and culture. The project emerged from an authentic co-design process that placed the Yorta Yorta community at the center of every design decision, ensuring that the spaces would genuinely support education, sporting activities, and the transmission of Indigenous knowledge.
The center consists of two distinct but interconnected components. The northern section features an upgraded Rumbalara Football and Netball Club with new netball facilities, renovated clubrooms, and a unifying canopy that reflects the colors of the Rumbalara logo, reinforcing community identity. The southern section houses a new community and academic building that serves as the heart of the complex.
The new building's design carries deep cultural significance, with its aerial view resembling the Aboriginal flag. At its center lies a circular courtyard that serves as a gathering space, surrounded by a veranda designed for indoor and outdoor learning experiences. A traditional firepit provides a focal point for community gatherings and cultural activities, all developed through extensive collaboration with Indigenous stakeholders and community members.
One of the facility's most striking features is the Nanyak Wall, a powerful photographic representation of the community's history that extends beyond the building into the surrounding landscape. This installation connects the southern and northern sites, creating a visual narrative that celebrates the continuity of Yorta Yorta culture and its ongoing presence in the region.
The project's governance structure reflects its commitment to Indigenous leadership. Munarra Limited, an all-First Peoples board, oversaw the entire project development and will manage the facility's future operations. This approach ensures that the center remains true to its cultural mission and serves the community's needs effectively.
The collaborative design process involved multiple Indigenous-led organizations and specialists. Spacecraft Studios and Kaiela Arts played instrumental roles in curating and embedding artwork from community members and elders throughout almost every aspect of the design. Their work ensures that the building itself becomes a canvas for Indigenous expression and storytelling.
Landscape architects Emergent Studios shaped both the surrounding grounds and the central courtyard, incorporating Indigenous planting schemes and embedding cultural narratives into the outdoor spaces. This approach creates seamless connections between the built environment and the natural landscape, reflecting traditional relationships between people and country.
The construction phase also prioritized Indigenous participation through TVN On-Country, a majority Indigenous-owned contractor that delivered the build. This decision ensured that the economic benefits of the project flowed back to the Indigenous community while maintaining cultural oversight throughout the construction process.
The project benefited from strong institutional support, with delivery managed by the Department of Premier and Cabinet, First Peoples State Relations, and the Victorian School Building Authority. The University of Melbourne provided additional financial support, demonstrating the academic sector's commitment to Indigenous education and cultural preservation.
Direct engagement with Yorta Yorta Elders and traditional owners throughout the design and construction phases ensured an authentic, community-led outcome. This consultation process went beyond typical stakeholder engagement, embedding cultural protocols and traditional knowledge into every aspect of the facility's development.
The Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence stands as more than just a building; it represents the resilience and future aspirations of the Yorta Yorta people. As a place of learning, cultural celebration, and community gathering, it will serve as a vital hub for generations to come, ensuring the continuation and growth of the world's oldest living culture in a contemporary setting.
