A symbolic ribbon has been cut at the new business and Dja Dja Wurrung community hub in Bendigo - one embedded with the spirit of their people, DJAARA chief executive Uncle Rodney said, and labelled "self-determination in-action" by Premier Jacinta Allan.
Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Clans Aboriginal Corportation (DJAARA) will offically moves into to the new centre for 100 staff and corporate operations, their partners and community next week.
Named Larnangurrak - meaning 'our place', it's an avenue for Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung people) to "participate in what we can do for ourselves, but extending that care to all that choose to live and visit our homelands", Uncle Rodney said.
"What does it feel like when you shine and you can support each other and you achieve? Deep down, it is such an empowering, great feeling, and that's the challenge for us as a people when we open these doors for business on Monday."
Alongside corporate spaces, the Hattam Street centre houses a multi-purpose theatre, lab and conference rooms - with further plans to move DJAARA land management enterprise DJANDAK.
The state government returned freehold title for the old site of Golden Square Highschool to DJAARA in 2022, as well as $16.3 million in funding.
The Aboriginal Corporation broke ground in mid-2023.
Speaking at Friday's event, the Victorian Premier said it was a "special day", taking place in her own electorate.
"We know for those who have been on the journey, this has been such a long held dream…a dream that has been realised through hard work, a lot of determination, a lot of dedication of so many people who are here in the room," Premier Allan said.
Pointing to the commencement of state Treaty negotiations on Thursday, the Premier said "in the opening of this beautiful building, we are seeing that self-determination in action".
"This centre also shows what it means to have First Peoples in the driving seat. Amazing things happen…this is the lesson that can be learnt across the state and across the Country."
DJAARA chair Rebecca Phillips lead a cultural dance to cleans the site, and has earlier announced the centre's name.
Development and construction was informed by a Wartaka (advisory group) with symbolic recognition to Djaara's 18 apical ancestors honoured throughout.
"We are now in a position to continue upholding our cultural and corporate business from an unmistakably Djaara purpose-built space, self-determined by Djaara for Djaara. We have always been here and always will be - from strong, sustainable foundations that have been shaped by the Djaara voices, stories and cultural expressions," Ms Phillips said on Friday.
"We are proud to be restoring health to a place in the heart of upside down Country (a reference to the impact of colonial disruption to their Country).
"This is a hub for our people to gather, connect and feel safe, to continue our important work, carrying on the work from those ancestors in caring for Country and our community."
Contributions by Djarra artists adorn the centre.
Neane Carter designed 'Tapestry of Djaara - the Sacred 18' displayed along the walls through the main thoroughfare.
Ms Carter calls herself a cultural practitioner, rather than artist, "because really, all I'm doing is practising my culture".
"Each of the coils you can see...each one represents one singular ancestor. The point of them all being together, and the fact that they don't look identical, is because we're not identical people. Everyone is unique and individual in their own way, but we come together as a collective community," Ms Carter told National Indigenous Times.
On seeing the artwork on the walls, surrounded by community, Ms Carter and Uncle Rodney made an emotional embrace.
"They're interwoven together to represent the story that was woven before we came here...the story that was told about my people, my ancestors, but the woven story that's yet to come of my children and my children's children and all Djaara people that will come way after everybody here is gone."