The AES has partnered with the Indigenous Land Corporation to create a site that contains an Aboriginal art gallery, Aboriginal art centre and café.

The centre will be called Yaama Ganu - or “Welcome All” in Kamilaroi language.

Yaama Ganu manager Sascha Estens said it would be “a huge thing for Moree” when it opened next year.

She said it would allow tourists “to experience living Kamilaroi culture, in both its traditional and contemporary context.”

She also said its blend of culture, education and hospitality would elevate it from a tourist attraction to a tourist “experience” that would appeal to passing travellers.

Craig Duncan will manage the gallery. It is scheduled to open in late February or early March.

It will open with Aboriginal arts and crafts from the Kamilaroi region. That will give local artists an opportunity to promote and sell their work.

Ms Estens said this had won “huge support” from many Aboriginal artists in the Kamilaroi nation.

“The Kamilaroi nation has a huge amount of incredibly talented Aboriginal artists who have experienced difficulty in building a reputation and selling their work,” she said.

“The gallery will be a huge opportunity for Aboriginal artists in the district to gain exposure.”

The gallery also plans to display and sell works from around Australia.

The art centre will be called the Kamilaroi Art Centre. It is expected to open in the middle of next year.

Local Aboriginal artist Chris Roberts will run the art centre.

It will offer workshops for Aboriginal students and mature age programs. They will be run by well-known Aboriginal artists from all over Australia.

Ms Estens said the art gallery and art centre would be setting high standards.

“We intend to build a reputation of housing and producing quality Indigenous arts and crafts and thereby create a centre of Indigenous excellence,” she said.

The café will be called Café Gali (meaning “Water”). It will open in late January.

It will provide hospitality training and work for Aborigines.

Chris Rowden will manage Café Gali. The rest of the staff are still being sought.

Mr Rowden said he was excited about the opportunity to manage the café. He thought it would be a “stepping stone” for the Aboriginal community.

The AES and ILC have divided the cost of the $1.3 million project roughly equally.

AES first applied for funding through the ILC in 2000. Famous restaurateur Toby Osmond will also be involved in the project, focusing on coordinating the menu and service at the Yaama Ganu café.