$2.2m for remote community school

The Federal  Government is contributing $2.2 million towards the construction of an Assembly Hall at Dhupuma Barker, a school for Yolŋgu children in the remote community of Gunyangara in North-East Arnhem Land.

The new permanent structure will serve the community as both a school Assembly Hall and multi-purpose space.

Dhupuma Barker is a partnership between the Yothu Yindi Foundation and Barker College and is an independent, bilingual school from early years and primary to middle years (Years 7 to 10).

The school provides access to quality education and has driven strong school attendance rates and improved education outcomes.

Without it, many local children would not be able to reasonably access education without leaving their community.

“This building is a central part of the school’s design for facilitating community participation and cultural engagement in their children’s education,” the Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour.

“I am pleased to have been able to support Barker College in this projectand see the construction of the Assembly Hall as an important addition to integrate culture and Country into the functionality of this school.

The school has been operating in a challenging environment, using temporary, inadequate structures that struggle to meet the needs of a growing Yolŋgu student body.

In close consultation with the community, the design of the school, including the Assembly Hall, integrates culture and Country into the functionality of the school.

Dhupuma Barker is committed to using a local construction company and will promote Indigenous employment and procure materials from the local area.

The funding was a decision of Government prior to the caretaker period commencing and has been provided through the National Indigenous Australians Agency Children and Schooling Programme, which supports activities to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education outcomes.

“Dhupuma Barker has shown the incredible impact of on-Country, bilingual education with significant improvements in school engagement and attendance,” Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy said.

“Having fit-for-purpose facilities, including a new Assembly Hall, will contribute to students’ positive experience of school.”

“This investment by the Labor Government will help ensure the Assembly Hall can deliver quality education infrastructure that will also benefit the wider community.”

“I am very pleased that Dhupuma Barker school has been successful in securing funding to construct its Assembly Hall, which will also serve as a cultural and community centre.

“This building is a central part of the school’s design for facilitating community participation and cultural engagement in their children’s education.

“I am pleased to have been able to support Barker College in this projectand see the construction of the Assembly Hall as an important addition to integrate culture and Country into the functionality of this school.

Yothu Yindi Foundation CEO, Denise Bowden said her organisation was delighted the Commonwealth was making the investment.

“We’re extremely proud of Dhupuma Barker and have enjoyed watching it grow into a thriving place of learning, Ms Bowden said.

“These new school buildings will ensure the students can be taught in state-of-the-art facilities that match the quality of their education.”