The Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence, an Aboriginal-led learning institution, opened its doors in Shepparton on August 7. As Australia’s first Indigenous-led pathway tertiary education campus, it integrates Indigenous values and knowledge into its state-of-the-art facilities.
News Reporter Khadija Hadjab recently visited the centre and spoke with students, who shared their excitement about the unique opportunities their new learning environment offered.
Dakoda Woodscarpio
Having a place like the Munarra Centre means having a sense of foundation where we can be ourselves, and get an education. It means not being judged, and being connected to our culture and our sports culture. It’s like being in a big house with your family. You enjoy every day.
Keagan Atkinson
Having a place like the Munarra Centre is a way where I can get my education, be around my family, play sports and learn sports all over Australia. (It) culturally connects me to my culture. I’ve met a family that I haven’t really even met.
It’s a place where we can all come freely and feel good about ourselves, and it’s a place where you get an education and a pathway forward in life without school.
Djarmbi Collyer
To me, Munarra is like a big home, but with education. You can still learn and have fun at the same time with people that feel like family. Teachers are here to support you and you can talk about whatever you want without being judged. I am not just learning about my culture, but I am learning about other people’s cultures. It’s quite nice knowing how other cultures did their stuff. It’s a very good opportunity to better my life and my future.