Riverbank Aboriginal Meeting Place officially opened

28/08/00

A meeting place for spiritual and cultural activities has been officially opened within the grounds of Riverbank Prison by Attorney General Peter Foss.
Traditional Aboriginal music and art formed part of the ceremony for the new area, which will be dedicated to the Bibbulmun race and their descendants and the Noongar race respectively.
"The meeting places initiative is designed to assist in maintaining and fostering cultural links and associations both within the prison setting and with the wider community," Mr Foss said.
"Meeting places may be utilised for a number of purposes such as facilitating visits by Aboriginal elders from the community to meet with prisoners and assist them with matters relating to their cultural or spiritual needs.
"Similarly it will allow Aboriginal prisoners the opportunity to sit and talk about a range of issues or concerns of importance to them.
"Considering the disproportionate number of Aboriginal prisoners in custody in Western Australia, it is important to provide opportunities for Aboriginal culture to be celebrated.
"The meeting place at Riverbank was built using Toodyay rocks and stone and pine timber and resembles structures similar to that used in traditional meeting grounds.
"Additionally a waterfall has been built, using Toodyay rocks and stone, with native fish, water lilies and orchids."
The Ministry of Justice is in the process of establishing meeting places in all prisons throughout the State with the first opened last year at Bandyup Women's Prison.
"Since then meeting places at Greenough, Broome, Eastern Goldfields, Bunbury, Albany and Pardelup have been opened with suitable sites and structures nearing completion at Wooroloo and Karnet as well," Mr Foss said.
"While all sites are familiar in purpose, the design of the structures built reflects the diversity of Aboriginal culture throughout the State.
"In each case, the size, shape, form and location of the meeting places have varied enabling the view of the prisoners and security requirements to be appropriately addressed."
Mr Foss said the development of the meeting place at Riverbank had strong endorsement by local Aboriginal elders and their continued support was vital.
"I believe that the preservation of Aboriginal culture is very important to Aboriginal people," he said.
"The Ministry recognises that it must make every effort to provide opportunities for Aboriginal prisoners to maintain their cultural connections or to develop a stronger appreciation of their culture and spirituality as individuals.
"I am very supportive of the use of Aboriginal elders as a strong link to provide assistance in dealing with issues faced by Aboriginal prisoners, while elders also provide strong identity and appropriate role models, particularly for younger prisoners.
"There are huge benefits, not only for the Aboriginal community but for the general community as a whole."
Media contact: Mike Groves - 9321 2222