Context
Situated on the Gwydir River in the beautiful New England region of northwest New South Wales, the picturesque landscape and natural geography brings great value to the region as destination for eco-tourism and a natural retreat for those escaping the city. The area offers a diverse range of natural attractions as well as historically and culturally valuable things to do and see. An abundance of native Australian fora and fauna of the area will enhance any experience and learning opportunity provided by exploring even a portion of this region. Bingara and the surrounding landscape is of great significance to the Indigenous history of Australia with a past that must be acknowledged for future generations to understand the importance of reconciliation and acceptance of the varying perspectives involved.
Refer to 'Models' for diagrammatic programming and landform boards
|
Local Surroundings
The photographs below were taken at various locations between the NSW border and Mt Kaputar National Park on the way to Narrabri. Each carry with them stories of Australia's past; the varying perspectives of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians can be uncovered in investigating their geographic, social and cultural significances. Personally investigating these areas I have gained my own perspective strengthening an appreciation for Australian history and the reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Local Identity
The local identity of Bingara is characterised by its the rough edges of timber and tin houses, wide streets and old historical buildings. A variety of building typologies build over the past century illustrate a diverse array of cultural influences and artistic interpretation of life in rural Australia. The historical, social and cultural significance of the towns character is prevalent in today's context due to the relevance of preserving the nations true history, striving for an appreciation for the origins and events that shaped and lead the nation to the reconciliation movement.
The Living Classroom
Australian Centre for Regenerative Agriculture, Bingara, NSW
The Living Classroom is an innovative centre for research, experimentation and implementation of a productive landscape that will eventually allow the town to be a 'closed loop' community, self sufficient in food and recycling all compostable waste including sewerage. Showcasing the future of agriculture for rural towns, the Living Classroom aspires to set an example for food production and land management practices that has the potential to expand to city regions and educate people about sustainability through environmental, social and cultural focused design principles. These principles are essential to ensuring the most appropriate response for the local community and future generations and include regeneration, energising, multiplicity fulfilling at least three functions, carbon neutral with local materials/ labour and low embodied energy solutions, engaging with the community from concept to construction and beyond, innovation, clarity and beauty through song, naturally productive as an agricultural showcase, storytelling through each element of design and harvesting of water, waste and energy.
The Living Classroom is an innovative centre for research, experimentation and implementation of a productive landscape that will eventually allow the town to be a 'closed loop' community, self sufficient in food and recycling all compostable waste including sewerage. Showcasing the future of agriculture for rural towns, the Living Classroom aspires to set an example for food production and land management practices that has the potential to expand to city regions and educate people about sustainability through environmental, social and cultural focused design principles. These principles are essential to ensuring the most appropriate response for the local community and future generations and include regeneration, energising, multiplicity fulfilling at least three functions, carbon neutral with local materials/ labour and low embodied energy solutions, engaging with the community from concept to construction and beyond, innovation, clarity and beauty through song, naturally productive as an agricultural showcase, storytelling through each element of design and harvesting of water, waste and energy.
Education and Cultural Centre
'Myall Creek is the spiritual heart of the Australian nation.'
Proposed Education and Cultural Centre to enhance awareness of Indigenous Australian history. This proposition is to be an iconic Indigenous Education and Cultural Centre as a clear interpretation and demonstration of reconciliation and its importance to the whole of Australia. Situated adjacent to the Myall Creek Massacre memorial site, healing, education and recognition is at the forefront of the design intention with the ultimate outcome being a place that brings all Australians together as one.
Vision:
To bring awareness to the truth of the Myall Creek Massacre and court trials that followed. Factual accounts will also be expressed bringing light to the stories of those that reported the event and investigations that took place leading up to the trial ultimately leading to the justice faced by the perpetrators.
To bring awareness to the massacres of Indigenous people that continued across the frontier further into the 19th and early 20th century.
To gain appreciation of the impact the harsh living conditions and massacres had and continue to have on Aboriginal people and their culture living in Australia since European Settlement. An appreciation for this shared history will be attained by those that visit the centre.
To create a commitment to reconciliation by visitors in being exposed to the truth, understanding and acknowledging the past and present injustices between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
'The meaning of colonisation: the scarification of trust, the mortification of innocence and the violence of greed underlie the legacy of the great Australian emptiness. In the Cultural and Education Centre this reality will sit side by side with the continuing miracle of the oldest living culture on earth, its survival and its resilience.'
Proposed Education and Cultural Centre to enhance awareness of Indigenous Australian history. This proposition is to be an iconic Indigenous Education and Cultural Centre as a clear interpretation and demonstration of reconciliation and its importance to the whole of Australia. Situated adjacent to the Myall Creek Massacre memorial site, healing, education and recognition is at the forefront of the design intention with the ultimate outcome being a place that brings all Australians together as one.
Vision:
To bring awareness to the truth of the Myall Creek Massacre and court trials that followed. Factual accounts will also be expressed bringing light to the stories of those that reported the event and investigations that took place leading up to the trial ultimately leading to the justice faced by the perpetrators.
To bring awareness to the massacres of Indigenous people that continued across the frontier further into the 19th and early 20th century.
To gain appreciation of the impact the harsh living conditions and massacres had and continue to have on Aboriginal people and their culture living in Australia since European Settlement. An appreciation for this shared history will be attained by those that visit the centre.
To create a commitment to reconciliation by visitors in being exposed to the truth, understanding and acknowledging the past and present injustices between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
'The meaning of colonisation: the scarification of trust, the mortification of innocence and the violence of greed underlie the legacy of the great Australian emptiness. In the Cultural and Education Centre this reality will sit side by side with the continuing miracle of the oldest living culture on earth, its survival and its resilience.'
References
Classroom, T. L. (2015). The Living Classroom Entry Precinct. Retrieved from Gwydir Shire Council: http://www.gwydirshire.com/Council/images/stories/pdfs/Living%20classroom%20pdf_Part3.pdf
Committee, M. C. (2015). The Myall Creek Education and Cultural Centre. Retrieved from Friends of Myall Creek: http://173.254.28.13/~myallcre/joomla/index.php/education-centre
Council, T. G. (2015). The Living Classroom Vision and Purpose. Retrieved from The Living Classroom: http://www.thelivingclassroom.com.au/index.php/en/
Initiatives, S. (2015). Myall Creek For Reconciliation. Retrieved from Real Rural & Regional Sustainability: http://starfish-initiatives.org/initiatives/myall-creek-centre-for-reconciliation/
Committee, M. C. (2015). The Myall Creek Education and Cultural Centre. Retrieved from Friends of Myall Creek: http://173.254.28.13/~myallcre/joomla/index.php/education-centre
Council, T. G. (2015). The Living Classroom Vision and Purpose. Retrieved from The Living Classroom: http://www.thelivingclassroom.com.au/index.php/en/
Initiatives, S. (2015). Myall Creek For Reconciliation. Retrieved from Real Rural & Regional Sustainability: http://starfish-initiatives.org/initiatives/myall-creek-centre-for-reconciliation/