Baaka, our new Cultural and Art Centre, looks wonderful! All of us who’ve been on guided tours inside it are excited about what it will mean for Paakantji people, the town of Wilcannia and our whole region.
What’s happening with the permanent exhibition space? Here’s an update we received:
“Scott Watson, Creative Director for the Baaka Cultural Centre’s permanent exhibition, has been working closely with the community to shape the Keeping Place and the stories it will share when the BAAKA Cultural & Art Centre is opened.
The permanent exhibition will share Paakantji stories inside the ellipse, in the voices of community members themselves. Hearing these stories firsthand will create a personal and emotional experience for every visitor.
The exhibition’s story focuses on the Baaka (Darling River) and the strong connection Paakantji people have with it. The Baaka represents People, Country, and Spirit and has always been central to community life, since the name Paakantji literally means “belonging to the river.”
With the main themes now confirmed, the team is defining the stories for each theme, how they’ll be shared, and how the exhibition will flow as it moves through the concept design stage.”
We look forward to progress in all the steps leading up to the opening of Baaka!
This article appeared in Wilcannia News, 16 September 2025.
