A church lost to time in a small rural town in New South Wales' Riverina is about to undergo an almost $1 million transformation into a cultural tourism hub.
The Catholic church at Muttama was active until it was deconsecrated about two years ago.
The Wired Lab, a think-tank dedicated to developing and promoting art in rural Australia, purchased the property last year for $55,000.
Chief executive and artistic director Sarah Last has big plans for the Immaculate Conception Church, built by the local community and opened in 1908.
"Primarily, it's going to be a deep-listening site and we're really going to play on the traditions of the nave building that have existed for many, many years in that it's a space for people to gather, and to listen and to be in awe," she said.
Ms Last said the presence of ambisonic sound would be a drawcard.
"It basically creates a 3D effect, a dome of sound that recreates sound exactly as our ears hear it and when you experience that, it's actually very powerful and quite moving," she said.
The project will comprise three phases, including the development of accommodation.
"The newer parts of the development will be an accommodation building, amenities … and a number of other artworks, including the Wiradjuri yarning circle," Ms Last said.
"And Telepathy … which is essentially an anechoic chamber, which is where you get to experience deep silence.
The project has been made possible through a combined NSW and federal government grant from the bushfire local economic recovery fund.
Wiradjuri culture on display
Wiradjuri man Peter Beath, who has been working with the organisation for about 10 years, said the region was rich with history, which could be shared with visitors at the space.
"The Muttama Valley was a natural traditional travel line for a lot of our mob before settlement and after settlement of the area, especially through the different travelling stock routes," he said.
"That was a way for our mob to get around, so mob from Cootamundra to be able to visit our relatives, our mob up through Brungle and through Gundagai and vice versa.
Local Wiradjuri elder and Wired Lab board member Cheryl Penrith says it's important Aboriginal people are involved in projects like this.
"We've included Aboriginal perspectives into many of their cultural and artistic programs and so it kind of naturally led to a cultural advisor role," Mr Beath said.
"We try and speak — not so much on behalf of our mob, but speak for our mob, so we can ensure those perspectives are being heard."
Meeting place
Ms Penrith says the space will also help bring people back together after a few tough years.
"It's going to be fantastic for people to be able to hear language spoken in this building," she said.
"Wiradjuri people talking about Wiradjuri country coming back, especially after the bushfires which really took a toll on people's spirits.
The first phase involving the church will be complete in March next year, and work on the accommodation is expected to be finished by June 2023.
