Thumbs-up for Gillamii cultural project

Plans to develop a community space to celebrate Cranbrook’s Noongar heritage are in motion after the Gillamii Centre secured the Shire of Cranbrook’s support at this month’s council meeting. The growers’ group lodged a planning application with the Shire to transform the town’s old bowling greens at its centre on Climie Street into an area for the community and visitors to explore the region’s native flora and fauna. Project co-ordinator Hilary Watterson said planning was in its early stages but the team hoped to secure funding for the project by July. A pathway will be built through bushland connecting the old greens to a viewing platform overlooking a dam that is home to many long-necked turtles. “We wanted to incorporate the dam, now a long-necked turtle habitat, once used for watering the bowling club greens, to the Gillamii Centre building which also houses the Cranbrook Public Library,” she said. “In doing so we are beautifying the space... and showcasing our native Noongar flora and fauna, such as our iconic Cranbrook Bell.” Under the guidance of local Noongar elders, the centre will feature a native food trail featuring plaques to tell the story of the region’s flora and fauna. “On this journey the public can pick fruit to make jam, creating a shared value for these plants and inspiring people to plant them in their own gardens,” Ms Watterson said. A native plant study has been done by the centre’s ecological scientist Wendy Bradshaw to determine the native plants present in the area to be included on the trail. The space will feature a 2m tall carved wooden artwork created by Albany chainsaw artist Darrel Radcliffe.