The Mogo Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) has officially opened a new two-storey building, funded through bushfire recovery grants, marking a significant milestone in the community’s recovery.
Destroyed during the 2019 bushfires, the previous LALC building left behind a legacy of lost resources, including important bush regeneration data and cultural artefacts. The new structure, valued at $2.9 million, aims to provide a foundation for Mogo’s cultural, economic, and social growth.
The ground floor features a community-focused exhibition area, café, and commercial kitchen, while upstairs meeting rooms will be available for hire. This versatile space is designed to offer new opportunities for community connection and economic development.
Linda Carson, CEO of the Mogo LALC, expressed the significance of the new building: “It has been such a difficult time since the fires, but this building brings new hope and energy for all of the community.”
“This building gives the Mogo Aboriginal community a home, a place where we can meet, paint, sculpt and support each other and it provides the bedrock for the Land Council’s economic future.
She highlighted the positive impact it will have on young people, empowering the next generation of Aboriginal leaders in the region.
“It is the young people of our community that are our future, and this building says to them that we have a bright and meaningful future, it is more than just bricks and mortar.”
The project received support from both the Australian and NSW Governments through the Bushfire Local Economic Recovery Fund.
Federal Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips, praised the rebuilding effort, noting the importance of restoring community spaces to foster cultural connections and boost the local economy.
State Minister for Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, echoed these sentiments, emphasising the new building’s role in building resilience and supporting Aboriginal people on the Far South Coast.
Local Member for Bega, Michael Holland, also celebrated the new hub, calling it a symbol of the community’s recovery and the strength of its people.
“The new Mogo Local Aboriginal Land Council building has risen from the ashes following the December 2019 bushfires,” Dr Holland said.
“This beautiful new building has breathed life back into the Mogo Aboriginal community.”
The new space is expected to play a key role in both the cultural revival and economic future of Mogo, offering not just a physical home but a place of pride and empowerment for the Mogo Aboriginal community.
Images: NSW Government, NSW Aboriginal Land Council
