Oorala Collection

The Oorala Aboriginal Centre (originally known as the Aboriginal Resource Unit) was established to support the growing number of Aboriginal students at UNE. In 1985, the University made the decision to appoint an Aboriginal Research Fellow. Ms Lynette Riley commenced in the position the following year and the Centre officially opened in April, 1986. The purpose of the Centre was to provide an area for study, tutorials and contact between students enrolled at UNE.

Early on in Oorala’s history the Oorala Lecture Series and the annual Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture were established. Oorala also supported the development and growth of the Yarm Gwanga Child Care Centre and the Ee-Ke-Nah hostel for Aboriginal university students.

A History of Education
Aboriginal education has a long and proud tradition in Armidale and the New England. The Armidale Aboriginal community has been active in promoting equity and access to education for Aboriginal people for many years. This included organisations such as the Aborigines Education Foundation, founded in 1965 and programs such as the Graduate Diploma in Aboriginal Education started by the Armidale College of Advanced Education in 1980, which trained half of the Aboriginal teachers in NSW.

[Reference: The Story of Oorala Aboriginal Centre, https://www.une.edu.au/info-for/indigenous-matters/oorala/about-oorala/our-history]