Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson, Mayor Owen Hasler and official guests were on site to take part in the opening ceremony.

The Gunnedah centre is the first of nine planned centres in NSW to open, as part of a $74 million initiative from the Commonwealth and State Governments, to improve services and lives for Aboriginal children and families.

Minister Goward addressed the audience and said the centre will be a “hub for the community”.

“The centre will make child health, family literacy and family support accessible which will help make a difference to the everyday lives of Aboriginal families in the area,” Minister Goward said.

The minister said community engagement has been the cornerstone of the establishment of the centre.

“Toni Comber and the Local Reference Group have played an important role in ensuring that the design of this building pays respect to the local heritage of the Gomeroi people.

“Their leadership, willingness to share knowledge and commitment to partnership is very much appreciated.”

Winanga-Li means, ‘to hear, to listen, to know, to remember’.

“In the shaping of our future, hearing, listening, knowing and remembering are vital to help families have better lives and to keep our 

children safe and well,” Minister Goward said.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the centre will provide a wealth of benefits to the community and believes education is the starting point.

“Education for me is king,” Mr Anderson said.

“If you can educate families and young people to change their lifestyles and make their contributions to society greater, then it turns back around and benefits the whole community.

“We know already that the programs are having a positive impact on the families already attending Winanga-Li.

“I thank and congratulate Wayne Griffiths, staff and the community for all their hard work and dedication in getting this centre off the ground,” Mr Anderson said.

Winanga-Li will initially be jointly managed by Relationships Australia NSW and UnitingCare Children’s Services, but once established Winanga-Li will transition to local, Aboriginal management.

“Winanga-Li will work with the local Aboriginal community to close the gap on current disadvantage and build support for children and families where it’s needed most,” Relationships Australia NSW CEO Frank Francis said.

UnitingCare Children’s Services is the approved provider for the early childhood education and care service based in the centre.

“Access to early childhood education and care services is critical to giving children the best possible start,” Director of UnitingCare Children’s Services Trish Brown said at the ceremony.

“Today is a landmark day in the delivery of services to vulnerable and disadvantaged Aboriginal children and their families.

“These services will make a real and tangible difference to Aboriginal families in Gunnedah.”

Local Aboriginal Elder and centre manager, Wayne Griffiths said that the centre has an important role to play in building better lives and futures for Aboriginal children and families in Gunnedah.

“Winanga-Li is completely and proudly staffed by local Aboriginal people working for the local Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Gunnedah community,” Mr Griffiths said.

“Through having local people employed we are able to draw on the knowledge and skills of those who live in the very community with the very families we will be delivering services to.”

A plaque was unveiled by Minister Goward, before a symbolic pouring of the soil from the site through the hands of Winanga-Li manager Wayne Griffiths and Early Learning Director Allison West took place.

Aboriginal community member Greg Griffiths donated a possum skin cloak, which is used in traditional naming ceremonies to declare a family’s responsibility of their baby. The mother and child are wrapped in the cloak by their aunties, mothers and grandmothers.

Guests were also addressed by Gunnedah Mayor Owen Hasler and Local Reference Group President Toni Comber.

“What has been provided for this community is a legacy, which will not only help today’s generation but will assist for decades ahead by addressing a very important need for our Indigenous children and families, as well as providing much needed employment for 10 or so residents of Gunnedah,” Cr Hasler said.

Cr Hasler presented a photograph of Aboriginal man Eric Natty on the Pullaming Stock Route to Mr Griffiths on behalf of Gunnedah Shire Council.

Winanga-Li is already at full enrolment and will be a “place of belonging” for all children, their families and the Gunnedah community.

The services provided will include speech pathology, hearing and referral to specialist services, educational programs for parents, family support, building cultural knowledge and other community services as required.