President: Margarita Sampson

Secretary: Jodie Quintal-Brown

Treasurer: Liane Oldfield

Committee member: Caryn Harrington

Contact

secretary@cdani.org 

FACEBOOK

PO Box 338 Norfolk Island, NSW 2899, Australia

History

In 2007 CDANI was established as a Not for Profit Arts Association with the aim of:

Establishing a Cultural Centre to preserve, promote and protect the traditional knowledge and expressions of culture of the people of Norfolk Island.

CDANI members researched Cultural Centres (CCs) in the South Pacific and Australia, did extensive community consultation and fundraising. An approach was made to the Norfolk Island Government for suitable land to build a CC on.

A number of sites were investigated and the most suitable available site determined to be 4 adjoining blocks of land on Middlegate Rd. (Portions 54c5, 54c6, 54c7, 54c8).

In 2008, CDANI engaged architect Gregory Burgess to design a Cultural Centre for the site.

There was much community consultation involved and concept plans were prepared by the architect.

In 2012 a Development Application was submitted with the plans (DA 0027/12) and approval granted in November 2012.

In 2013, CDANI pitched the project to the Norfolk Island Government to be part of the Regional Development grant funding program from the Australian Government, which required the support of a local government body. Although they approved of the project, the Norfolk Island government chose to support the Cascade Pier project.

It was suggested that there were more important infrastructure projects which would be given preference for funding in coming years, the Pier and the Hospital taking higher priority. It was suggested that in 5- 10 years, after they were addressed, that there could be more opportunity for funding of a CC.

In 2015 with the Norfolk Island government being replaced by Australian administration, CDANI made the decision to put the plans on hold until a future time, with the understanding that the land would still be held for that purpose. In the intervening years, one portion of land has been used to build Banyan Park Play Centre on it. At that time CDANI was put into sleeper mode until a clearer position from the Australian Government re funding was available.

CDANI TODAY: In 2024 CDANI was re-invigorated with the aim of supporting cultural activities on Norfolk while still holding to the ultimate goal of building a Cultural Centre. Today CDANI has a movie club, runs and supports art/craft workshops and events, as well as an Artist in Residence scheme with KAVHA, to be launched in 2026. CDANI was recently awarded a NIRC Community Grant for provision of arts events.