The Girrawaa Arts Centre at Bathurst Jail was opened in 1998. There was a consultation process undertaken with the Indigenous communities that these buildings were built for to reflect cultural needs. The building design is based on the shape of a goanna, decided upon in collaboration with inmates as it is the totem of the local Wiradjuri community.
The Australian Institute of Architects acknowledges First Nations peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands, waters, and skies of the continent now called Australia.
We express our gratitude to their Elders and Knowledge Holders whose wisdom, actions and knowledge have kept culture alive.
We recognise First Nations peoples as the first architects and builders. We appreciate their continuing work on Country from pre-invasion times to contemporary First Nations architects, and respect their rights to continue to care for Country.
