- Palaszczuk Government funding of $72,549 through State Library of Queensland will support a new Indigenous Knowledge Centre (IKC) on Mornington Island and the refurbishment of the IKC in Napranum.
- The funding for Mornington Island and Napranum was made available through the State Library’s Indigenous Knowledge Centre Establishment and Refurbishment (IKCER) competitive grants which aim to establish or refurbish IKCs across the state.
- Queensland’s First Nations library network, established in 2002, is the only one of its kind in Australia.
Queensland’s Indigenous Knowledge Centre (IKC) network will further strengthen culture and communities with the refurbishment of the IKC in Napranum and a new IKC slated for Mornington Island.
The Mornington Island IKC, supported with Palaszczuk Government funding of almost $60,000 through the State Library of Queensland, will become the state’s 27th IKC with its completion expected by the end of this year.
The Napranum IKC, first established in 2015 and relocated in 2021, will be refurbished through a grant of $12,730.
IKCs offer Queensland communities access to collections, programs and online services in a partnership between State Library and local councils.
State Library annual investment to local councils, on behalf of the Queensland Government, supports staffing, collection materials, programming, and professional development.
IKCs are located in some of the state’s most remote communities: Aurukun, Badu, Bamaga, Boigu, Cherbourg, Dauan, Erub, Pormpuraaw, Hammond Island, Hope Vale, Iama, Injinoo, Kubin, Lockhart River, Mabuiag, Mapoon, Napranum, New Mapoon, Palm Island (Bwgcolman), Poruma, Seisia, Umagico, Warraber, Woorabinda, Wujal Wujal and Yarrabah.
Quotes attributable to Minister Leeanne Enoch:
“For more than 20 years, IKCs have provided vital library services in remote Queensland regions, offering a welcoming place to meet, learn and share culture.
“A new IKC in Mornington Island marks another important milestone in ensuring all communities have access to online library resources and First 5 Forever early learning opportunities, while the Napranum refurbishment will support enhanced service delivery.
“Queensland’s IKCs help to support the Queensland Government’s Creative Together ten-year roadmap for arts, culture and creativity by strengthening our communities, sharing our stories and elevating First Nations arts.”
Quotes attributable to State Librarian and CEO Vicki McDonald AM:
“It is inspiring to see IKCs continuing to grow and thrive as hubs for preserving traditional knowledge and history, reviving languages and celebrating the diverse cultures of First Nations Peoples.
“We are proud to work in partnership with local councils to deliver innovative library services and programs that strengthen social connection, enable lifelong learning, and nurture memory keeping in remote communities.”
Quotes attributable to Cynthia Lui, Member for Cook:
“Indigenous Knowledge Centres are important places in our communities, and I’m pleased that the Palaszczuk Government is supporting a new centre on Mornington Island and a refurbishment of the centre in Napranum.
“IKCs present frontline services, First 5 Forever programming and play-based resources, including the popular Stories for Little Queenslanders series of illustrated books developed by the State Library and supported by the Queensland Government as part of $5 million in annual ongoing statewide funding delivered in partnership with local government.”
Quotes attributable to Minister Meaghan Scanlon, Ministerial Champion for Mornington Island:
“Mornington Island will soon be home to a new Indigenous Knowledge Centre, strengthening Queensland’s IKC network and supporting the local community.
“These vital centres in remote Queensland regions, like Mornington Island, do important work in their communities to document and record the local histories, stories and language as part of their local collections.”
Quote attributable to Minister Grace Grace, Ministerial Champion for Napranum:
“The refurbished Indigenous Knowledge Centre in Napranum will ensure children living in the region can continue to have a safe space to learn well into the future.
“Already a great resource for the community and schools to access local history and speak with local Elders, this funding will help deliver an improved service.
“IKC offers increasing opportunities for schools and communities to work in partnerships to create culturally safe approaches to learning.”
Quotes attributable to Kelly Watters, Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council Finance Division Manager and Council spokesperson:
“These upgrades will directly contribute to the community and clients of the IKC.
“The fit for purpose reception workflow area will increase ease for borrowing and returns; the shelving will provide spaces for organised resources for clients; and the ergonomic chairs will provide safety and wellbeing when utilising IT facilities.”
Quotes attributable to Mornington Shire Mayor Kyle Yanner:
“Storytelling is in our blood. Knowledge shared on Country, and learnings passed down from generation to generation keep our culture strong.
“The establishment of the Mornington Island Indigenous Knowledge Centre means our children and community will soon have the chance to access a world of opportunity, from books and play time to online learning and personal growth. As another page turns, our story continues.”
