In summary

  • Our new Indigenous Learning Circles have been officially opened with events at our Hawthorn, Croydon and Wantirna campuses.
  • The opening events celebrated Indigenous culture and highlighted Swinburne’s demonstrated commitment to reconciliation.
  • This project is part of our next gen_campus transformation to develop campuses for the future where we can all learn and innovate together.

Hundreds of Swinburne University of Technology students, staff, and industry partners have gathered to celebrate the launch of new Indigenous Learning Circles.

Attendees enjoyed Indigenous performances, games and food as we officially opened the new outdoor learning spaces at our Hawthorn, Wantirna and Croydon campuses.

Designed in collaboration between our Indigenous students and staff, our Moondani Toombadool Centre, Wurundjeri elders, Indigenous Architect Jefa Greenaway, and landscape architect from Mantirri Design Paul Herzich, the Indigenous Learning Circles integrate aspects of Country, people, culture and art to encourage connection to Country and cultural exchange.

This project is part of our next gen_campus transformation to develop campuses for the future where we can all learn and innovate together.

A special celebration

Opening celebrations for our new Indigenous Learning Circles were held at Hawthorn on 29 February, Croydon on 7 March and Wantirna on 13 March.

Each ceremony was led by Pro Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Engagement, and proud Wiradjuri man, Professor John Evans, as MC, with Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Pascale Quester and Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Vocational Education Madelyn Bolch among speakers.

Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Colin Hunter Jr performed a smoking ceremony and welcome to country.

He spoke at Wantirna and Croydon about the co-creation with Wurundjeri elders, while Jefa Greenaway spoke at Hawthorn about the design concepts.

At Hawthorn, attendees were entertained by Yorta Yorta musician Benny Walker and Swinburne PhD student and proud Peerapper and Palawa man Jordan Gibbs on didgeridoo.

At Croydon and Wantirna, proud Yorta Yorta, Wiradjuri, Gunggari and Bidjara man Robert Bamblett performed and spoke about the history of the didgeridoo.

Swinburne Chief Operating Officer Nancy Collins said these were especially momentous celebrations as the first of our next gen_campus projects to be completed.

“These spaces are unique both in their design and their ethos, so this is a great start to our next gen_campus transformation, which is all about reimagining the use of on-campus spaces and delivering future-focused facilities,” she said.

  • Staff, students and industry partners gather for Indigenous Learning Circles opening celebrations at Hawthorn
  • Indigenous Architect Jefa Greenaway speaks about the design concept of the Indigenous Learning Circles
  • Students enjoy an Indigenous-inspired barbecue lunch
  • Swinburne Vice-Chancellor and President Pascale Quester calls the Indigenous Learning Circles the new heart of our campuses
  • Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Colin Hunter Jr performing a smoking ceremony and welcome to country

For Country and community

In addition to being places where people can learn and reflect, our Indigenous Learning Circles will host events with cultural significance and connect with our existing Aunty Dot Peters AM Flowering Grasslands. 

These spaces will support the engagement and success of all vocational and higher education students, acknowledging that not all learners are best suited to a traditional setting.

The project also demonstrates Swinburne’s commitment to reconciliation and self-determination.

Swinburne was the first Australian university to achieve ‘Elevate’ status from Reconciliation Australia for our Reconciliation Action Plan and have been vocal supporters of the Uluru Statement from the Heart since 2019.

Professor Evans said while there is still work to do, the Indigenous Learning Circles are another significant step in the right direction.

“This is another way we’re embedding Indigenous perspectives in the curriculum here at Swinburne, and in turn that encourages more Indigenous students and staff to join us at Swinburne,” he said.

“As Jefa Greenaway mentioned at the Hawthorn event, learning has a strong role to play in Indigenous emancipation, and Swinburne acknowledges the role we can play in that through projects like this.”

  • Swinburne Vice-Chancellor and President Pascale Quester opens Indigenous Learning Circle at Wantirna campus
  • Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Colin Hunter Jr talks about the collaboration with Traditional Elders to design Swinburne's new Indigenous Learning Circles at the opening celebration at Croydon
  • Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Vocational Education Madelyn Bolch speaks about the history of the Wantirna campus at opening celebrations of the new Indigenous Learning Circle
  • Students enjoy an Indigenous morning tea at the Indigenous Learning Circles opening celebration at Croydon
  • Staff, students and industry partners gather at Wantirna Indigenous Learning Circle for opening celebrations
  • Smoking ceremony performed by Elder Uncle Colin Hunter Jr at Wantirna Indigenous Learning Circle
  • Staff, students and industry partners gather for Indigenous Learning Circles opening celebrations at Croydon

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