Building and facilities

The Centre for Aboriginal Studies (CAS) building 211 is located near Rob Riley Walkway and across from Tim Winton Lecture Theatre at Curtin’s Bentley Campus. Our Centre provides a welcoming and culturally safe space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Curtin Bentley Campus Map
Student sitting at computer in resource centre

Student resource centre and common room

Our student resource centre is a designated space for Indigenous students to study. We offer printing, computers and study spaces.
The common room has kitchen facilities and a BBQ area outside.

We also offer emergency food packs, tea and coffee in the student common room, meal allowance and cab charges.

Outside view of the Centre for Aboriginal Studies building

Building design

The Centre’s structural design is circular in nature and functions as a model of Aboriginal self-determination. This critical element emulates the Centre for Aboriginal Studies logo, a goanna or karda in the local Nyungar language.

The karda logo is curled in a circular shape to represent the continuity of life, as well as unity and equality. Built from wood and stone, ochre in colour, and flooded with warm natural light, the CAS building complements the friendly and informal atmosphere created by staff.

Colourful tile mosaic on the floor of the Centre for Aboriginal Studies lobby

The Centre’s mosaic

Our circular mosaic on the floor at the heart of CAS portrays the variety of different Aboriginal tribal groups coming together in celebration around a central meeting place.

The mosaic was inspired by an award-winning painting by the late Joan Martin, an Aboriginal artist from the Murchison area who passed away in 2008. The mosaic celebrates community, diversity and knowledge.

Flags on the ceiling of the Midgegoroo Meeting Place

The Midgegoroo Meeting Place

Our main foyer is dedicated to the memory of Nyungar elder, Midgegoroo. The fight for freedom and equality embodied in the life and death of Aboriginal resistance leaders like Midgegoroo and his son Yagan epitomises the struggles of oppressed cultures across time and inspires us to envision a world where all people are free and equal.

Since the foyer is the main circulation space and also the heart of the Centre, the Midgegoroo Meeting Place is used to hold Welcome to Country, Acknowledgements to Country, exhibitions, functions and special ceremonies.