Injidup Wardan Aboriginal Centre receives $46,680 Lotterywest Grant

As presented by South West MLC Jackie Jarvis on November 5, the $46,680 Lotterywest Grant will be used for fuel reduction and a fire-suppression system at the centre, which sits in a high-risk fire area.

The current risk of bushfire has been preventing activation of the centre for interpretive and cultural purposes.

Ms Jarvis said the investment tackled a significant obstacle to the centre reaching it's full potential.

"By protecting the centre from the risk of bushfire, custodians can proceed with plans to transform it into a site where the history and culture of the Wardandi people can be brought alive for locals and visitors alike."

The Wardan Aboriginal Centre at Injidup was the vision of respected elders, Vilma and George Webb, who promoted the merits of a local amenity for the Wardandi peoples to develop outreach programs, promote art and for community education.

The Injidup Residents Association is a relatively new entity established in response to a spate of deliberately lit fires in the area over recent years.

The focus of the Association is educating the landowners about fire mitigation, advocacy for road and coast safety at Injidup and to add new fire-fighting resources.

The centre's custodians hope to transform the centre into a space for visitors and the community to learn more about Wardandi culture in an immersive environment.

They have commenced planting for a bush tucker program and recently identified an opportunity to repatriate stolen shields and spears to the Wardandi community, which will add to the significant artefacts currently on display. The Association received funding in March 2021 from the Minderoo Foundation to complement fund-raising within the Injidup community for a 200kL fire fighting water reserve for all Brigades and DBCA.