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Parklands Albury Wodonga
Parks


  

Block 19 Bonegilla Migrant Experience

Block 19 Bonegilla Migrant Experience
Size: 10 ha hectares 
 
Classification: Heritage 
 
Features:   The Beginning Place Interpretation Centre

More information: www.bonegilla.org.au

 

 

 

Achievements to date

Ownership of the remaining 'Block 19' site was transferred from the Department of Defence to the Victorian Government in 1996. The Government in turn appointed parklands Albury Wodonga as the site's management committee.

The Bonegilla Migrant Camp, in operation from 1947-1971, was Australia's first, largest, and longest operating migrant reception centre. It became the first Australian home for some 320,000 post-war migrants from over 30 countries.

The camp has touched the lives of some 1.5 million Australians and stands as strong testimony to the post-war immigrants who came and settled here.

‘Block 19' is deemed a priceless cultural heritage site of great national significance – contributing to the birth of multiculturalism.  The site was included on the National Heritage Register in 2007.

Block 19 Bonegilla
The future

Bonegilla Migrant Experience Heritage Park has undertake significant developments over the past decade.  These have been driven by the leadership of the Bonegilla Migrant Experience Steering Committee and partnerships that have evolved.

These partners include;

  • Albury Library Museum houses the Bonegilla Collection and curated the first permanent exhibition on site. 
  • City of Wodonga took on management of the Visitor Information Centre and marketing in 2009. 
  • Parklands continues in our role as the Committee of Management (since 1999).  Our role has been primarily facilitating involvement from a diversity of partners.  Currently, our role is managing the heritage buildings, grounds and bush park, with the invaluable support of live-in Caretakers and hundreds of volunteers.  Significant capital works have been undertaken on 8 of the 18 heritage buildings to enable safe public access and create community exhibition space.

We welcome new partners and projects as this is a significant community asset which belongs to all of us.

What You Need to Know while in Parklands »

Further information on the Bonegilla Migrant Experience contact (02) 6020 6912

Further information on Parklands tracks and trails contact (02) 6023 6714.