PM opens Richmond indigenous centreChris Hingston
The Age
August 12, 2012Richmond Football Club has transformed a small part of Tigerland into an institute aiming to kick-start the lives of young indigenous Australians.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard today officially opened the Korin Gamadji Institute (KGI), inside Punt Road Oval's Maurice Rioli Room.
The room will be the heart of the new institute - inside the wooden floor is shaped to represent the banks of the Yarra, the walls are decorated by Koori Heritage Trust-donated art, and a picture of Tiger champion and indigenous hero Rioli hangs prominently.
Korin Gamadji means "grow and emerge" in the Woi Wurrung language and the institute hosts leadership camps and provides training and education opportunities to young indigenous people.
KGI director Belinda Duarte said the institute had already helped more than 1,500 young indigenous people from Victoria and Central Australia in the last 12 months.
She said KGI was about providing possibilities.
"There have been some excellent outcomes already but we are convinced there is so much more this facility can do," she said.
"It's just the beginning in so many ways," she said.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard launched the institute, accompanied by partner Tom Mathieson – proudly sporting his Tigers scarf.
Ms Gillard, who supports the Western Bulldogs, joked she hadn't worn her red, white and blue scarf inside the Tiger's home "out of respect for Richmond".
She said the institute was a place of hope and possibility.
"From this special place, young indigenous people will indeed grow and emerge," she said.
Reconciliation was not just about big gestures, such as the national apology, she said.
"Equally important is the Aboriginal or Islander kid who learns to read and write. Who gets that training certificate or university degree … these are the little victories that make the truly big victories possible."
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