Connecting with Country
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One of our most exciting projects, is proudly being delivered as a pilot project for the New South Wales Government Architect’s Connecting with Country Draft Framework. The hospital will be designed to address the needs of the local community.
We acknowledge the Yuin people of the Yuin Nation, Traditional Custodians of the land on which the project will be sited, and pay respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
The Connecting with Country Draft Framework seeks to develop connections with Country to inform planning, design and the delivery of projects within New South Wales. By participating and initiating actions within this pilot project we actively commit to supporting the health and wellbeing of Country by valuing, respecting, and being guided by Aboriginal people, who know that if we care for Country – it will care for us.
Our design team Walked on Country with representatives from the local Indigenous Community.
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“The experience of Walk on Country, facilitated by Christian Hampson has deepened our understanding and appreciation of the land far beyond a standard site visit. The Walk on Country allowed an opportunity to share knowledge and learnings between local Elders, Aboriginal advisors, consultants and the community, as well as with the project team. Our new knowledge and the relationship we now share with the land and local Indigenous people is already guiding design decisions at this early stage of the project.”
— Paul Emmett, Conrad Gargett Principal
The Yuin people are the traditional owners of the Eurobodalla region. This Country spans between Ulladulla to Eden north-south, and from the coast to Cooma in the west. The Yuin traditional territory is larger than that of Eurobodalla, covering parts of neighbouring shires. The Yuin hold a strong connection to the land, coastline and the ocean that borders their country, which holds significant sites both through Dreaming stories and important sacred sites.
Following the Walk on Country our design team, together with local elders participated in a Design Jam facilitated by Christian Hampson, Yerrabingin. Design Jam is a collaborative and interactive design thinking and Indigenous knowledge sharing workshop which generates aspirational ideas about what the hospital can be and how the project can give back to the community.
Our team are actively developing shared aspirations to inform our design response. We look forward to a highly collaborative consultation process with the Yuin community throughout the project.
