Gurriny Yealamucka Health and Wellbeing Centre is a new facility for allied health, primary health and social and emotional wellbeing in Yarrabah, Qld. It replaces Gurriny’s previous services at Workshop Rd with culturally appropriate and modern spaces. It has been designed to acknowledge, respect and complement its cultural, social and climatic environment. Gurriny Yealamucka means “Good Healing Water” in the language of the Gunggandji Peoples and the building embraces this mantra by making references to healing water in the building siting, layout, finishes, external art screen and garden. The building acknowledges Guyula the Sea Hawk as an important protector of Yarrabah. The art screen enveloping the building entry showcases art works by Wayne Connolly and Philomena Yeatman. The landscape design has been developed with traditional owners to connect the healing water story to an outside yarning circle, native bush food and plants of cultural significance. Gurriny Yealamucka Health and Wellbeing Centre was built by First Nations building contractors, HC Building and Construction. Through the project they employed local trainees and many Indigenous suppliers and sub-contractors. The project was completed in June2021. It was designed in collaboration with Coburn Architecture, and was funded by the Department of Health (Australian Government).
2022 Gurriny Yealamucka Health and Wellbeing Centre. Regional Project of the Year Prize. POD (People Oriented Design) with Coburn Architecture.
2022 Gurriny Yealamucka Health and Wellbeing Centre. People's Choice Award. POD (People Oriented Design) with Coburn Architecture.
2022 Gurriny Yealamucka Health and Wellbeing Centre. Regional Commendation for Commercial Architecture. POD (People Oriented Design) with Coburn Architecture.
2021 Gurriny Yealamucka Health and Wellbeing Centre. Sustainable Design Awards Australia, Commendation (national). POD (People Oriented Design) with Coburn Architecture.
2021 Gurriny Yealamucka Health and Wellbeing Centre. Architecture Masterprize (international) Honorable Mention. POD (People Oriented Design) with Coburn Architecture.
Photography by Scott Burrows.