The Gudidja Marralda Gwarrdon Digital Indigenous Knowledge Centre (IKC) officially opened in Doomadgee on Tuesday, becoming the third digital IKC in Queensland and an exciting milestone for the community.
In Gangalidda language, Gudidja means ‘look’ and Marralda means ‘listen’, while Gwarrdon—from Waanyi/Garrawa—means ‘think’. These words, chosen by the Doomadgee community, represent identity, connection to Country, and cultural strength. They speak to both the purpose and the potential of the new digital space: a place where people can explore ideas, learn new skills and use technology to create opportunities, preserve and share culture and build connections.
The IKC was opened by the Hon Fiona Simpson MP, Minister for Women and Women's Economic Security, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and Minister for Multiculturalism, and Doomadgee Mayor, Cr Frederick O’Keefe.
Minister Simpson said she was thrilled to formally participate in the event and acknowledged the collaboration that had brought the new facility online, including the young eSports players who had already ‘unofficially opened’ the IKC and demonstrated the benefits it’s already delivering.
She spoke about the community’s pride and the role the IKC will play in sharing cultural knowledge, reflecting on the power of song, dance and storytelling.
‘You are able to not only take that culture, take the stories, but listening to that wonderful singing and dancing before, what struck me is that not only are you telling your stories, but you're sharing stories of others who've given permission—stories of old—and that’s part of the creative power, and that’s one of the beauties of this knowledge centre,’ she said.
She encouraged community members to embrace the opportunities the IKC provides to preserve and record old and new stories.
‘Tell your story, capture your stories, ensure that you have the opportunity to record them and there will be new stories because culture never stays still.’
Minister Simpson concluded by recognising the significance of the day for the community.
‘Congratulations. It’s a great day to celebrate and make sure your stories are not only heard but that the world hears them.’
The Hon Ann Leahy MP, Minister for Local Government and Water and Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers, attended with Minister Simpson. Event speakers—Athol Walden and Terrence Taylor from Gunawuna Jungai, and Doomadgee Councillor Elaine Cairns—also reflected on the IKC’s cultural significance.
Cr Cairns thanked the ministers for coming to share this important occasion for Doomadgee and described how the IKC will preserve and celebrate culture for future generations.
‘It will be a place where young people can connect with their history, where knowledge can be shared between elders and community members, and where stories, language, and traditions can live on,’ Cr Cairns said.
Mr Taylor spoke of Doomadgee’s history and how the IKC will contribute to the teaching and holding of local knowledge.
‘This building here, it goes a long way with education, with teaching our younger generation,’ he said.
‘This is how important this is. We used to do it by fire before but now here, when you are looking at transferring knowledge around the fire, this is our modern-day fire.’
Louise Denoon, Executive Director Community Partnerships, State Library of Queensland, welcomed Doomadgee to the Indigenous Knowledge Centre family.
‘State Library is proud to lead this initiative, which helps close the digital divide and supports digital inclusion in Queensland’s First Nations communities,’ she said.
A day of community celebration
The day was a true community celebration, with people gathering for a free BBQ and live music from local band the DMC Boys.
An inspiring Welcome to Country was delivered by Terrence Taylor, accompanied by traditional dancers from Doomadgee.
Inside the centre, IKC and State Library staff showcased some of the activities the new space will offer, from digital arts sessions and equipment demonstrations to family history workshops. Local IKC eSports champions ‘The Kings’ talked about how much they’ve gained through the new IKC and State Library's eSports tournament.
About the IKC
The new Doomadgee IKC was delivered as part of State Library’s Growing IKCs project, which works with 16 First Nations councils to build digital capacity through access to IT equipment, digital skills programs, and training for IKC staff to lead digital initiatives tailored to their communities. The project received funding from the State Government to help close the digital divide and support regional digital development.
Technology supplied through the Growing IKCs project includes laptops, tablets, scanner, sublimation printing kit, 360‑degree and digital cameras, an interview audio kit, Starlink kit, and eSports equipment.
The project will also deliver free digital workshops introducing residents to digital storytelling, music production, digital art, language recording, family history research, early-stage business development, and more.
Digital inclusion and remote First Nations communities
Doomadgee is a remote community on the traditional homelands of the Gangalidda, Waanyi, Garrawa and Yunjulla peoples, located 93 kilometres west of Burketown. Home to 1,387 residents with a median age of just 25, it is a proudly First Nations community, with almost 9 in 10 residents identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
The community is ranked the ninth most disadvantaged local government area in Australia, with median personal income less than half the Queensland average and unemployment at 27.6%.
Digital access plays an essential role in addressing these inequities. Across Australia, First Nations people experience digital exclusion at double the rate of other Australians, with nearly a quarter considered highly excluded. Remote communities like Doomadgee—affected by unreliable access to devices, high costs, skills shortages and limited support—face the steepest barriers.
The Digital IKC is designed to help overcome these challenges by offering a supportive, community-run space with modern technology where residents can learn at their own pace, work on personal projects and build digital confidence.
Doomadgee’s young people have already embraced the facility, quickly making the IKC part of their after-school routine as they play eSports games—inspired by Doomadgee’s participation in State Library’s IKC eSports tournament, run in partnership with Veteran Gaming Australia.
The tournament attracted more than 30 players to Doomadgee’s first round event in early February, and word has spread fast among the community’s youth.
eSports offers young people a safe, fun, and engaging environment to develop strategic thinking, teamwork and communication skills. It also introduces them to coding and game development, sparking early interest in digital careers. Importantly, it enables young people to connect online with peers across Queensland and beyond, building networks and friendships while fostering a sense of belonging in the digital world.
For Doomadgee, the opening of the digital IKC is more than the launch of a building—it is a significant step towards expanding opportunity and ensuring community members have the tools, skills and support they need to thrive in a digital world, on their own terms.
Comments
Your email address will not be published.
We welcome relevant, respectful comments.