2010 – Gudorrka,
Northern Territory

Gudorrka Media Box

  • Location: Gudorrka, Darwin NT
  • Completed: June 2010
  • Delivered: On time and on budget

In 2009 the Bower Studio team, mentored by Silas Gibson and George Stavrias, worked with local partners to create the ‘Media Box’ project in two Indigenous Town Camps near Darwin. The Media Box is in a modified 40 foot shipping container fitted out to house a number of computer workstations, a meeting room and a small library. The Media Box was designed to address the need for community members to have access to basic web based services such as internet banking, online welfare self-management and other essential services. It also offers appropriate facilities for the external service providers who visit the communities, such as employment and health care providers. Links with support partners enabled the project to develop in conjunction with local training programs attended by members of the communities, equipping them with skills and training in various construction trades.

The Media Box at Gudorrka was located adjacent to the existing community building and the pair of offices for the elders. A courtyard space was created with an extensive shade area over and seating and a table. This space acts as a ‘Community Hub’ and responds to the existing circulation patterns and functional uses. Children from the community selected plants for the raised garden beds and joined in the planting process.

Bower Studio thanks the people of Gudorrka for welcoming the team into their community.

This project was revisited in 2012 and 2013

Video

Funding Agency

  • Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

Project Partners

  • Darwin Regional CDEP
  • Ironbark Employment
  • Indigenous Community Volunteers
  • Aboriginal Development Foundation
  • Yilli Rreung Housing Aboriginal Corporation
  • Advanced Training
  • Work Ventures
  • Job Futures
  • AMITY
  • Palmerston Regional Business Association

Industry Partners

  • Bowens Timber
  • LiteSteel Technologies
  • BlueScope Steel

Community Leaders

  • Phillip Goodman
  • Lorna Goodman

Indigenous Mentors

  • Rob Lewis
  • Rossie Cambell

Local Workers

  • Otto Phillips
  • Shaun Mackley
  • Adam Lyons
  • Joseph Patrick
  • Neville Goodman

Studio Leaders

  • Dr David O’Brien
  • Hamish Hill

Student Mentor

  • George Stavrias

Students

  • Leah Bell
  • Reza Bolouri
  • Amy Clark
  • Rosie Gunzberg
  • Chin Lim
  • Frank Vedelago
  • Linlu Zhai