Poche Centre Home - Bilya Marlee

Fully funded by UWA, Bilya Marlee is the visible embodiment of UWA’s strategic vision, celebrates Aboriginal Culture and provides culturally designed facilities and spaces for Indigenous staff, students and communities. The building and landscape was designed and positioned with the guidance of Whadjuk Noongar Elder Dr Richard Walley OAM, who is the Senior Cultural Advisor at UWA.

The design recognises the cultural significance of the site, the stories of the Whadjuk Noongar people, the local flora, fauna and the relationship with the river (Derbal Yerrigan). The gardens are insired by the Noongar six seasons, Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba and Kambarang, with trees and plants selected to ensure year round coverage and vibrancy. The circular seating and grassed area at the front is a place to relax, and to gather for stories, learning and ceremony. It includes a ‘fire pit’ which has already been used for smoking ceremonies.

The colours of the Swan River (Derbal Yerrigan) from the bases of the colour palette and the Black Marlee (Swan) was an important reference for the internal colour scheme. This also provided a subject for Danjoo Kaartdijin (Learning Together), by Noongar artisit Sharyn Egan. The building design was inspired by the swan’s nest, a place of fertility, birth, parenting and teaching that offered a safe haven until and individual was ready to go out and create their own nest.