NESTLED within the Shepparton Sports Precinct, the Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence (MCRE) stands as a vibrant hub of cultural and educational significance. A striking blue bridge, bearing the word “Cummeragunja” in its intricate design, links the Centre to the Rumbalara Football Netball Club (RFNC), symbolising the deep-rooted connection to the local Indigenous heritage.
Occupying a 3,000-square-metre space on a 1.486-hectare site adjacent the Shepparton Sports Stadium off Numurkah Road in North Shepparton, the land was leased from the Greater Shepparton City Council under a 50-year peppercorn lease meaning that the MCRE is primed for future expansion.
This cutting-edge facility features four classrooms that can each accommodate 25-30 people, along with a child-friendly classroom. At its core is a central courtyard, ideal for performances and events with a capacity of 150-200 people. The Centre also includes a Yarning Room, an Elders Lounge with a replica night sky embedded in the ceiling and ambient soundproofing, a boardroom, and staff offices. A café space, intended to be utilised for teaching hospitality skills, is planned, along with leasable office space and a community meeting room.
Designed by ARM Architecture, the MCRE showcases an Aboriginal flag-inspired roof and culturally significant landscaping by Bush Projects Landscape Architecture. The project was carried out by TVN On-Country, an Indigenous-led construction company, reflecting the Centre’s commitment to cultural integrity and excellence.
TVN On-Country achieved a 10.8 per cent spend with Victorian Aboriginal businesses against a mandated spend of 1.5 per cent, and 32.9 per cent of the project team were Victorian Aboriginal people, against a 15 per cent target. Notably, it included students from ASHE, who are studying at the completed MCRE.
27,267 hours of onsite construction works were completed by disadvantaged Victorians, against a 3,000-hour target and 15.9 per cent of total labour hours for apprentices and trainees was carried out by women, against a 4 per cent target. It is TV On-Country’s biggest project to date, and as managing director and proud Wiradjuri man, Jebb Hutchison put it, their most significant and rewarding project.
“It’s truly special to open it for the community,” Jebb said, reflecting on the project’s significance.
