The Hub@Bonnyrigg Dhanawi

external view of the hub@Bonnyrigg
Newly built community centre - The Hub@Bonnyrigg Dhanawi

 

The new community precinct at Bonnyrigg has recently been completed and is open to the public. Built as part of a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) between Council and the Land and Housing Corporation through the redevelopment of the Bonnyrigg social housing estate, the new community centre will provide valuable community space for meetings, events and activities for the Bonnyrigg and surrounding communities.

The centre includes a large function space, two large meeting rooms, a commercial kitchen and some smaller informal areas. Bookings can be made through Council’s website at Halls and Community Centres.

external view of the hub @Bonnyrigg
Artist’s impression of the new community centre at Bonnyrigg

 

Naming of the centre

The centre’s indigenous name in Dharug language is Dhanawi (Darn-a-wee) meaning “meeting place”. All rooms have Dharug names that reflect the elements.  The table below outlines the name, its meaning and which room it is for. 

Name

Phonetic

English translation

Meaning               

Facility

Bamul

Bah-mool

Earth

Earth is our Mother, from her we are nurtured and provided with food, medicine and healing.

Large hall

Badu

Ba-doo

Fresh Water

Our waterways are our healing and life force.

Meeting room with play area

Guwing

Goo-wing

Sun

Sun provides us with warm and light. It was the first sunrise when our dreaming began.

Meeting room

 

Guwiyang

Goo-wee-ung

Fire

Fire is an extremely important element to our people for food, healing and hunting. We always yarn around a fire.

Meeting room 1

Gura

Goo-rah

Wind 

We believe our Ancestors talk to us through the winds. Each breeze brings new teachings and stories.

Meeting room 2

Dyurali

Dew-rah-lee

To Grow / Growth

 

 

Community Garden

Dhanawi

Darn-a-wee

meeting place

 

Community Centre

 

Photo Gallery

Below are some photos of the meeting rooms and other facilities in the community centre.

Interior view of Bamul room

Bamul - This room will hold up to 120 people seated. It also includes AV with a drop-down screen.

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Interior view of the commercial kitchen

The commercial kitchen

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Interior view of main foyer

Main foyer including kitchenette. This area services Bamul, Guwing – a large meeting room and Guwiyang and Gura small meeting rooms.

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Interior view of Bamul meeting room

Guwing - A large meeting room seating up to 30 people.

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Interior view of small meeting room

Gura and Guwiyang - Meeting rooms that hold up to 6 people.

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Interior view of Badu meeting room

Badu - A large meeting room that incorporates facilities for people with disability and a children’s play area.

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Dyurali - Community Garden

Built as part of the community centre precinct Dyurali will provide a modern community garden for use by local residents. It will be managed by a community organisation who will work with the community to create a dedicated community garden space for residents to gather, share experiences and build social connections and cohesiveness. The garden space will increase the community’s access to fresh and nutritious food and develop skills in gardening, composting and cooking.

Places to Roam program funding

Council recently received funding from the Department of Planning and Environment through the Places to Roam Community Gardens program. The funding has enabled Council to invest $75,000 to provide accessible garden beds, an outdoor kitchen space, greenhouse and other garden facilities for the community to use.

 

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