La Trobe University has underlined its commitment to a new educational and cultural institution being built in Shepparton by contributing more than a million dollars to a partnership between the two organisations.
The university has pledged more than $1 million in proposed cash commitments to establish and position the partnership with Munarra Limited for success over a three-year period.
Munarra Limited is behind the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence, which it says will be Australia’s first Indigenous-led, world-class global education, sporting and public gathering space.
It said the centre would also drive economic and employment opportunities.
La Trobe University said its commitment included:
- Scholarships for all Indigenous students studying at the Shepparton campus
- A fully funded role to deliver student engagement, support and recruitment
- Guaranteed revenue sharing for three years
- Munarra being chosen as the preferred partner for cultural awareness training for La Trobe staff.
Vice-Chancellor Professor John Dewar said the two institutions were deeply connected to their communities and shared common values of building and contributing to a new and fairer future for all.
“The commitments ... reflect the confidence we have in Munarra, its vision and our partnership,” Prof Dewar said.
“La Trobe is genuinely committed to investing in tangible partnership initiatives that will help us both achieve our collective ambitions.”
La Trobe University and Munarra Limited said the commitments would be formalised in accordance with a memorandum of understanding signed between the parties on November 3.
Kaiela Institute is one of the organisations behind the centre, and its executive director, Uncle Paul Briggs, said the La Trobe pledge was a welcome commitment.
“These commitments will enable our partnership to thrive and will deliver tangible benefits to the communities we serve,” he said.
“We are looking forward to working with La Trobe University to progress our partnership in 2024 and beyond.”
La Trobe University Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) Associate Professor Michael Donovan said the pledge was the culmination of many months of discussions between both organisations.
“This is an important development for the whole community, and it will be exciting to see the benefits of this partnership for years to come,” Dr Donovan said.