Vice Chancellor Steve Chapman and ECU’s cultural ambassador and Elder-in-residence Noel Nannup open the Natural Elements |boardwalk.
Camera IconVice Chancellor Steve Chapman and ECU’s cultural ambassador and Elder-in-residence Noel Nannup open the Natural Elements |boardwalk. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

ECU adds boardwalk to cultural reflection space

Lucy JarvisWanneroo Times

Reflection spaces support ECU’s reconciliation action plan and provide opportunities for all people to learn about various aspects of traditional Whadjuk Nyoongar knowledge.

Called Natural Elements, the boardwalk space celebrates nature and provides a place for quiet contemplation and reflection.

It incorporates the elements of earth (boya/stone), wood (boorn), wind (maam), water (keip) and fire (karla).

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Bilingual names have been woven into the area for visitors to discover.

Equity and Indigenous Pro-Vice Chancellor Colleen Hayward said ECU was committed to providing a learning environment that valued and encouraged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to achieve their full potential.

“The reflection spaces are intended to reinforce the message of welcome to all members of the ECU community, especially Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” she said.

“They are also places where all people can pause and receive a positive message of affirmation.”

The boardwalk is on the north-west edge of the lake, opposite the Joondalup Pines theatre.

ECU’s cultural ambassador and Elder-in-residence Noel Nannup and Vice Chancellor Steve Chapman opened it on March 14.

In May 2014, the university opened another space, called Welcome to Place, outside building 1 at the Joondalup campus.