The renewal of Goolwa’s iconic Signal Point building as a multi-purpose experience centre is complete with the new exhibition ‘Yuntulun Ku:li-war’ now open to the public.

Yuntulun Ku:li-war – which translates to ‘Coming together on the headland’ in Ngarrindjeri – tells the stories of the First Nations people of this area, the early

settlement history of Goolwa as a major river port and the ecology of the Murray Darling River system.

The exhibition is the jewel in the crown of the revamped Signal Point Experience Centre, a project funded by Alexandrina Council and the federal government.

Yuntulun Ku:li-war was created in collaboration with the community, including the Ngarrindjeri Aboriginal Corporation, Ngarrindjeri and Narangga artist Cedric Varcoe, Ngarrindjeri artist and language consultant Kyla McHughes, the Department of Environment and Water, community representatives Frank Tuckwell and Roly Bartlett, Exhibition Studios, Urban Mind Studios and Procure PM.

Alexandrina Council Mayor Keith Parkes says the new-look Signal Point Experience Centre offers something for all ages.

“Signal Point was first opened as a river interpretive centre in 1988 by the King – then Prince Charles, with Princess Diana – as a Bicentennial Commemorative Project,” he says.

“The building has undergone quite a few changes since then and this is the next exciting chapter for a place which is very much valued by our community.

“The building itself has been upgraded inside as a gallery and workshop space as Stage 1 of our Goolwa Wharf Precinct Project with some outdoor landscaping still to be completed.

“The centrepiece of the building is now Yuntulun Ku:li-war, an interpretive storytelling space showcasing Indigenous and colonial heritage and information about the ecologically sensitive environment of the River Murray, Lower Lakes and Coorong.

“Visitors can enjoy artwork, video, images, information panels and interactive activities including games and even some ‘push and smell’ buttons to immerse

themselves in the river experience.

“The opening of Yuntulun Ku:li-war is a ‘soft launch’ with flexible opening hours leading into winter before a formal opening of the Goolwa Wharf Precinct Project at the end of the year when the major works at the wharf are completed.

“It’s a fun and informative exhibition and it’s free of charge so I would really like to encourage our community to come along and see for themselves. Head to our Visit Alexandrina website for details.”

The $17.4 million Goolwa Wharf Precinct Project has been made possible thanks to $3.75 million in funding from the federal government and an additional $1.25 million from the state government.

Yuntulun Ku:li-war was funded through a $980,000 Murray Darling Basin Economic Development Grant from Round 3 of the funding program. Details of opening hours are available on the website.