by Kate Stothers

Members of the Euroa Arboretum staff and committee of management accepted a recent invitation to attend the launch of Indigenous Architecture and Design Victoria. The event was held at the Robin Boyd House in South Yarra. IADV was officially launched by the Hon. Ted Bailleau, an architect by training. Mr Rueben Berg, CEO of IADV, expressed excitement at the potential of this organisation. “Architecture is the one remaining ‘art’ that Indigenous people are still to conquer. As for the others – painting, theatre, music – we punch well above our weight. Currently, however there are only seven qualified architects in Australia.”

There is a lot of potential for partnerships between IADV and the Euroa Arboretum. The Euroa Arboretum has been in discussion with Rueben Berg about the potential for developing a conference and education centre on site. While the concept is still in the embryonic stage, the Euroa Arboretum hopes to continue the conversation with IADV and local indigenous communities. Rueben said “In order to keep our stories alive, we need to share them. Building and design can play a prominent role in this.” Reflecting indigenous and local stories in the design of a building at the Euroa Arboretum would help give this unique area a deeper sense of place.