UNSW - Nura Gili - About Nura Gili

The Nura Gili Indigenous Programs Centre provides pathways to learning opportunities that embrace Indigenous knowledge, culture and histories. The Centre encourages self-empowerment within an inspiring and supportive environment that celebrates learning, diversity and the achievement of social justice. To achieve this vision, Nura Gili strives for excellence in educational services. Nura Gili works towards assuring participation and access to all the programs it offers. The staff and students at Nura Gili Indigenous Programs Centre support community outreach programs to actively spread the message of the availability of tertiary studies. Staff and students also work to promote the centrality of arts, culture and heritage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples - throughout UNSW and the wider community.

The words Nura Gili are from the language of the Eora people, Nura meaning ‘place' and Gili meaning ‘fire/light'. Nura Gili at UNSW brings together these concepts to create the meaning ‘place of fire and light' (for more info see Jakelin Troy 1994, ‘The Sydney Language', Macquarie Aboriginal Words, Macquarie Library, p.68) which is significant because:

• The theme of place remains important to the many cultures of Indigenous Australia. It is therefore important for Indigenous Programs at the University of New South Wales to acknowledge and recognise the very place that we have all come together to work, share, study and learn on. We do this through the language of our centre.

• The site of Indigenous Programs at UNSW is located near an 8000 year old campsite (within the grounds of Prince of Wales Hospital [See Val Attenbrow 200, Sydney 's Aboriginal Past, UNSW Press, p.56] around which the people of the area taught culture, history and subsistence. From an age old past through to the present the site holds significance as a place of gathering and meeting, teaching and sharing.

• The concept of a fireplace, and fire in general, reflects the warm, relaxed and nurturing environment created by age-old fires many years ago and recreated today by the staff and students of the Indigenous Programs. The idea that there is a place in UNSW where a fire has been burning, a place where people can come to gather and share is indeed the shared inspiration, drive and purpose for all involved in Indigenous Programs at UNSW. The centre values the potential that education can offer, and with the theme of the fireplace in mind, we invite Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to gather, learn and share together, to light a torch of their own, to guide them, and light their way as they create their own journey.

The Nura Gili Resource Centre contains one of Australia 's largest collections of print materials on Australian Aboriginal studies as well as audio-visual materials and has adopted the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Protocols for Libraries, Archives and Information Services. All available resources are listed on the UNSW Library catalogue and have call numbers starting with ABR.

The Nura Gili Student Centre provides a culturally appropriate place of learning and gathering for Indigenous students and staff at UNSW. Students have access to computing and printing facilities and assistance on issues including student administration, academic support, housing and accommodation assistance, and scholarship and cadetship assistance.

Tutorial assistance and a number of Programs are coordinated from the Nura Gili Programs Centre.

The Nura Gili Student Centre, Programs Centre & Resource Centre are open:

• Monday 9:00am-5:00pm
• Tuesday 9:00am-3:00pm
• Wednesday 9:00am-5:00pm
• Thursday 9:00am-5:00pm
• Friday 9:00am-4:00pm

Buses to UNSW leave from Eddy Avenue, opposite Central Station, Sydney - Click here for more information.

Staff Contact details can be found at http://www.nuragili.unsw.edu.au/staff.htm

A Map of UNSW can be found at http://www.facilities.unsw.edu.au/Maps/maps.html.