April 2025 Connect sponsored by Wathaurong

Get ready for an afternoon of culture, connection, and great conversation at Wathaurong April Connect!

Join us at the stunning Booln Booln Cultural Centre for a unique event that blends tradition with an exciting vision for the future. Immerse yourself in the rich culture of Wathaurong with a vibrant and engaging experience, hear about exciting developments for the Booln Booln Centre, and connect with fellow professionals over a delicious cocktail-style lunch featuring Indigenous-inspired flavors.

Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind experience!

Date: Monday 14th April
Time: 12pm – 2pm
Venue: Wathaurong Booln Booln Cultural Centre, 410 Surf Coast Hwy, Grovedale

Spots are limited—register now and be part of something special!

Registration is essential.

This event is FREE for Chamber members (category limits apply)

About Wathaurong

Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative started in the late 1970s when a group of dedicated Aboriginal community members gathered in their homes, around the kitchen table, discussing their shared vision of a home for community. A space where community members could come together and strengthen their cultural identity and cultural connection. On the 22 May 1980, their vision came to life with the registration of what is now known as Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative. Since then, Wathaurong has grown to include services from “birth to dreaming”, with health, family, justice, community, social emotional wellbeing, NDIS, Aged Care, youth services and much more. As an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO), our goal is to create Strong Community, Strong Culture, and Strong Country through our programs and services. Wathaurong supports Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people living on Wathaurong, Gulidjan, Gadubanud and Boonwurrung Countries, representing the LGAs of Geelong, Queenscliff, Bellarine, Surf Coast, Colac Otway, Golden Plains and Wyndham.

In late 2024, Wathaurong announced the acquisition of what was previously known as Narana from the Uniting Church. The newly named Wathaurong Booln Booln Cultural Centre will officially re-open to the public on Monday 31st March. Booln Booln (pronounced Bool-en Bool-en) in Waddawurrung language means Lyrebird – the speaker of all languages – symbolic of our many mobs, one community, coming together. With the centre re-opening to the public, there are opportunities for cultural education sessions, function spaces, and the retail gift shop and cafe will also be re-opening – and of course the beloved animals are still there ready to welcome visitors again. It is exciting that this important cultural space is now in the rightful hands of the Aboriginal Community.