Wiradjuri born artist and businessman Brett Groves, with a deep connection to Dharug and Gundungurra country, took a risk for what he believes in.
Opening the stunning Bilingarra Indigenous Art and Culture space in Leura Mall in 2020, it was part of his journey in "creating a cultural space to retell the truth of our Indigenous history. To share the beauty, richness and depth of Australia's Indigenous culture. To create work opportunities for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and ensure a sense of pride for all Australians into the future".
It's not surprising the closure of the space recently was met with immense disappointment across the community. The closure has led to Blue Mountains City Council's Visitor Information Centres (VICs) at Echo Point and Glenbrook stocking Bilingarra products. Bilingarra has also created a trial window display at Echo Point VIC, which is getting a lot of attention from visitors to the area.
Bilingarra Indigenous Art and Culture Leura was so much more than a place to purchase authentic locally made Indigenous products.
Brett Groves explained: "As a resident of the Blue Mountains at the time, I felt the lack of an authentic First Nations cultural place for local artists to share their work. Through Bilingarra, we provided employment for 16 Blue Mountains locals and a place for 58 First Nations Artists, Makers, Authors, and Illustrators to sell their goods.
"Bilingarra created a safe place for all people to talk about their experiences being First Nations or Allies. It was an opportunity to educate both people from Australia and overseas about our First Nations history. It provided a place for Elders to meet, a community, a space that many visitors described as the best place on Leura Mall."
Bilingarra also brought community events to Leura, supported local schools with donations, created an income for Elders and immersive workshops that connected diverse individuals with Country on every level.
"When Brett revealed at the Destination NSW Aboriginal Experience Development Workshop held at the Fairmont Resort in February this year that he would have to close his Leura space, we knew it was vital to our community to help keep Bilingarra in the upper Blue Mountains," Jeff Roorda - BMCC Director Infrastructure, Economy and Property Services said.
"Our Echo Point Visitor Information Centre is one of the most visited centres in Australia, given Echo Point welcomes around 2 million visitors per year. Aboriginal history, culture and connection is high on visitors' minds, so it's as important for us to meet this need as it is to support what people like Brett do for our local community representing, mentoring and creating opportunities for a number of Dharug, Gundungurra and other creators.
"Brett and his team have a way of immersing the individual in Aboriginal culture in such a way that a transformation takes place, a yearning to understand and connect is satiated.
"Stocking Bilingarra's works and inviting Brett to create a stunning window display with his Indigenous Nations map of Australia was one step we could take to support."
In 2020, Blue Mountains City Council developed the Statement of Recognition and Commitment in close collaboration with local Traditional Custodians. Establishing a First Nations team in 2022 was the next step in working towards building on an authentic partnership with the region's Traditional Custodians.
"The partnership with Brett presented a prime opportunity for us to bring the Statement to life through the Blue Mountains visitor economy which exists on the lands of the Dharug and Gundungurra Traditional Custodians. Our First Nations team continue to work closely with First Nations peoples to fulfill this commitment," Hailie Ryzak, Acting CEO, Blue Mountains City Council said.
"Often my staff and I would encounter some hard to hear comments about being a Traditional Custodian," Brett Groves said. "I say, we are all part of what I call 'The Great Misleducation'. We were all misled about the truth of this country's history and now more than ever is the time to seek out truth telling, unlearn what we were told or not told and embrace the awesome of being part of the world's oldest surviving culture."
To show your support for the amazing work of Bilingarra and other local creators, head to the Echo Point Visitor Information Centre. You can also learn more, purchase the full range, enquire about cultural classes and murals at https://bilingarra.com.au.
Photo: Brett Groves briefs Echo Point VIC staff on his new display.
