Dubbo College Delroy Campus students have welcomed a new space to learn, collaborate and connect to culture while at school.

The school’s new learning hub has been named Ngumbaay-Djil, which means together in one place in the local Wiradjuri language.

The Dubbo AECG (Aboriginal Education Consultative Group), Aboriginal Lands Council and Three Rivers Regional Assembly were part of the co-design process to ensure the facility reflects a culturally safe and welcoming learning environment, providing opportunity for enhanced connections and partnerships.

The hub provides a space for ordinary school classes and can also host TAFE courses and community meetings, as well as Aboriginal health and hearing checks.

The building is a work of art and was partly designed by Delroy students.

Principal Samoan Forrest said the designs was not just about aesthetics – it also served to deliver an important message about culture, connections and education.

“The panels outside have small feet going into a meeting area and big feet coming out,” she said.

“So, that has the meaning of coming a coming to a meeting space, learning, and leaving older and wiser.”

College student Miley Shipp said the contributions from students, Aboriginal Elders and other members of the Aboriginal community helped make the new space a special place.

“It’s really nice to see that we’re getting Aboriginal designs from inside our community. It brings us all together, and helps us all feel connected as one,” she said.

Student Shanay Nolan said the chance to bring the community and other schools together in the one place was something Delroy campus could be proud of.

“It’s good that schools have the chance to come together, and we can talk about what we do at the hub and the different ways we’re learning,” Shanay said.

Shanay and Miley said students involved in NASCA and Clontarf were excited at the possibilities the new space offered.

Ngumbaay-Djil already has a busy program planned in the coming months, with schools and community groups ready to make use of the new space.