Bower Studio Community
Development 26
12.5 point Elective
6-24 July 2026
Co-Design and Co-Build @ Wuggubun
Lands of the Gija People
Thanks for showing your interest in joining this year’s Bower Studio Community Development elective subject worth 12.5 credit points. I’m always really looking forward to this subject. It’s a joy to work with students and community groups to collaborate and produce meaningful project outcomes.
This program works with the Gija people of the East Kimberley region in northern Western Australia. Last year we partnered with the Gija community at Warmun. In this Bower 26 project we will be working in a ‘homeland’ community at Wuggubun, 100km up the road.
Conversations with community elders are continuing and various priorities have become evident throughout the consultation process. It seems likely that their needs mesh closely with the HomesPLUS program that Bower has been developing (on and off since 2009). New funding opportunities have emerged, and Bower is keen to develop a team that includes engineers, training providers, industry supporters, philanthropists and not-for-profits. Students can also really add additional value to the project!!
You can find out more about HomesPLUS here
During this project you will help form a ‘pattern book’ of ideas to help inform future HomesPLUS programs. How can the prototype you build be modified for a larger HomesPLUS initiative?
We have been allocated 3 weeks for the program (between 6-24 July) with an eight-day site program in the community. This is scheduled to be after your studio hand-ins and exams so there will not be a clash with other uni commitments.
Wuggubun is about a one-hour drive from Kununurra airport. The community has its own campground (plenty of grey nomads) and the weather is perfect at this time of year (much better than being in Melbourne). Don’t worry if you haven’t camped before – we are experts at helping you experience this safely (and with fun), and we can help with tents and sleeping mats.
Please read the student blog posts so you can anticipate the breadth of experience.
The good news is that we have secured some philanthropic funds to support each student with a $2000 stipend that will help cover costs such as flights to Kununurra and 4WD hire.
There will be other Bower Studio staff joining us during the full program. We will have a great group of people, talented teachers and really, knowledgeable designers and builders.
FAQ
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Bower Studio learning takes place ‘on-country’ at the Wuggubun community. Students fly to Kununurra and car-share 4WD vehicles to travel to the community. We will need some members of our team to have a driver’s licence so please tell me if you can help with this.
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We have been invited to stay at the campground in the community. Students have really enjoyed seeing the amazing countryside.
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No problem – we have had plenty of students joining us for their first camping trip. You will be in safe hands.
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We will teach everyone how to safely use the tools required for the project. You will feel like a pro when you return!
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A definite yes to this one. Really strong friendships have emerged within groups of Bower students as they share a lifechanging experience together.
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We are offering a $2000 bursary to participating students. This should be enough to cover your flights and your share of the 4WD hire. You will need to cover fuel costs and your contribution to the food budget (around $400). Accommodation is free and we can lend you a tent and sleeping mat.
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Yes, previous student groups have extended the trip and visited various waterholes and National Parks.
Please also submit a 300 word statement saying why you would like to participate. Add your phone number in case we have any questions. It’s helpful if you tell us how you have heard about Bower and if you have a driver’s licence. Send this directly to the Bower Studio team at this email address: bower.studio.info@gmail.com and to me at djobrien@unimelb.edu.au
Please feel free to get back to me if you have any questions.
Regards
David