THE Australian Minister for Sport, Richard Colbeck visited Rumbalara Football and Netball Club (RFNC) under his sport portfolio last week to hear the proposal for establishing the Regional Centre of Sporting Excellence (RCSE) within the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence Campus
Currently, in schematic design, the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence (MCRE) will be an Aboriginal-led national pathway and university campus that will act as a critical enabler to deliver on the prosperity of Yorta Yorta and other First Nations people. At its core, it will unite and transform the Goulburn Murray region.
Munarra Limited are seeking a funding commitment of $29M from the Federal Government to develop the RCSE. The first stage, upgrading RFNC and constructing the Munarra education precinct, has been funded by the State Government and is being supported by the University of Melbourne, RFNC and the Greater Shepparton City Council.
While being integral to Australian culture post-colonisation, sports has played a critical role in the lives of Yorta Yorta and First Nations people. While putting Shepparton on the map for global sporting events, like the Commonwealth Games and future Olympic events, this investment will build a collective, collaborative future for the Goulbourn Murray with First Nations people at its heart.
“The work we are doing is to design a vision, to action a future for Yorta Yorta and Indigenous people,” said Paul Briggs OAM, executive chairman of Kaiela Institute. “We’ll get there, this funding will be of great benefit.”
The MCRE responds to the Goulburn Murray Regional Prosperity Plan, which aims to achieve parity for Yorta Yorta and First Nations people, while delivering an additional $150M GRP each year to the region by 2036, through economic inclusion, prosperity, and shared values.
Correction – the article was incorrectly published with a mistake that said the RCSE would be fully funded by the State Government along with the University of Melbourne, RFNC and the Greater Shepparton City Council. This meant to say the project is being supported, not fully funded, by the University of Melbourne, RFNC and the Greater Shepparton City Council. Stage 1, upgrading RFNC and constructing the Munarra education precinct, has been funded by the State Government with support from these organisations.
