Gnowangerup College Progress Update (February 2026)
Gnowangerup College Progress Update (February 2026)
Establishment Phase (January to June 2026)
WKSNAC has long been engaged with the Education Department and others to complete the transfer of 630 hectares of land in Gnowangerup. It has a long history as being an Aboriginal Reserve (in the 1920’s), an Aboriginal Mission (1930’s), and later as an Agricultural School and as a Training Center (up until about 2010). It is still used for cropping (under lease) and for some agri-business activities (machinery fabrication) and there are some legacy tenants currently renting individual houses on the property.
We enjoyed two major milestones in January. First, we had the handover of the master key from the Department of Education, marking practical control of the site being transferred to WKSNAC. More importantly, we had a smoking ceremony with Ezzard Flowers and Tassie Hayward in the main accommodation areas and our offices, something we appreciate very much, particularly before relocating and taking up residence.
Significant work has been undertaken to stabilise and secure the site, amongst other things; we now have Internet communications, basic offices and accommodation, our security review is in hand, and visual inspections of site buildings is almost complete (some 35 buildings all in different states of repair).
There are some areas of contamination (e.g., asbestos, hydrocarbons, livestock waste etc.), and we are working with DPLH and Ed Dept towards remediation (likely completion towards the end of May). This is a key activity to ensure the safety and sustainability of the site, and to ensure that it can be activated again in the future.
We have been collecting and securing documentation for the site, including aspects of the history of people and place, and determining likely sites of significance (including goanna traps that we suspect were previously undocumented). We are expecting more to be revealed, and we are recording everything we can using photos, video, text etc. so we don’t lose the essence of the site. It was great to have our Rangers and Fergus visit recently to capture extensive drone footage.
Substantial administrative work is underway to secure land tenure. This will likely result in a ‘Heads of Agreement’ with Department of Education prior to the freehold transfer to the Noongar Boodja Trust and our subsequent long-term lease arrangements. More on this as we progress, but we are moving forward and this looks to be one of those things we just need to be patient with.
As we secure the site and minimise any safety risks, our attention will be more focused on community engagement and relationships. We’ve met good folks through the GAC and local connections and we look forward to becoming more connected with local mob as we continue our activities.
Our first month has been busy, and we expect this to be the case for quite some time. We will host an upcoming Board Meeting and a Staff Meeting as soon as we can. It’s an incredible opportunity and no doubt it’s full of challenges. Your support means a lot and with it we have nothing but positivity that the reactivation of this site will be a success. Reach out if you have any questions or ideas, we’d love to hear from you.
Jim Atkinson & Matt Lane