Nestled in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, Burrinja is one of Victoria's most distinctive regional arts organisations. Today, it is a place where people come together to experience visual art, live performance, creative workshops, cultural events and community connection. But Burrinja's story began long before the gallery doors opened or the theatre lights came on. It began with a community determined to shape its own future.
In the late 1990s, following local government amalgamations, the former Sherbrooke Shire offices in Upwey were identified for sale. Many local residents believed the building could serve a greater purpose, and other local community organisations banded together to save the building for community use, including United Neighbourhood of the Hills, Save our Sherbrooke Association, and Save the Dandenongs League. In a region with a long tradition of grassroots community activism, people came together to advocate for the site to become a cultural centre for the Dandenong Ranges. Their vision and activism were successful and, in 1998, the Dandenong Ranges Community Cultural Centre was established, with its inaugural President being Yarra Ranges Councillor Louis Delacretaz. Neil McLeod helped shape Burrinja's early direction through the establishment of the original Burrinja Gallery, the development of a significant Indigenous art collection (the McLeod Gift Collection), and a partnership that embedded First Nations art and culture within the organisation's identity.
The name ‘Burrinja’ has a special connection to celebrated Aboriginal artist and activist Lin Onus, who lived in the Dandenong Ranges and supported the campaign to save the building. Lin Onus received major national recognition during his lifetime as an artist and activist, including being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1993, and receiving national awards for his artwork. He was also a deeply engaged member of the Hills community, involved in community organisations and volunteer service. Following Lin's death in 1996, his close friend, artist and collector Neil McLeod, named the gallery ‘Burrinja’ in his honour. Burrinja was Lin's Yorta Yorta nickname, meaning ‘star’. Over time, the name came to represent the entire organisation, and remains a reminder of the important role artists, creativity and community played in Burrinja's beginnings.
From its earliest days, Burrinja was shaped by volunteers, artists, educators, community groups and local partners. What began as a grassroots initiative steadily grew into a thriving cultural hub, offering exhibitions, performances, workshops, artist studios, education programs and opportunities for community participation. Throughout its history, Burrinja has also celebrated and shared the stories, culture and artistic practices of Australia's First Nations peoples, a commitment that continues today.
Several milestones helped shape the organisation we know today. In 2011, a major redevelopment delivered the Burrinja Theatre, creating a dedicated performing arts venue for the region. A further redevelopment in 2019-20 transformed gallery, studio and public spaces, ensuring Burrinja could continue serving a growing and evolving community. In 2015, Burrinja became a registered tax-deductible charity, strengthening its ability to deliver cultural and community benefit for future generations.
Burrinja's development has been guided by many passionate contributors over the years. Ross Farnell served as Executive Director from 1999 to 2019, helping establish Burrinja as a significant cultural organisation in regional Victoria. Gareth Hart led the organisation as Creative Director & CEO from 2020 to 2024, before Melanie Burge became Creative Director & CEO in 2024. Across different chapters of leadership, Burrinja's purpose has remained consistent: building community through art.
Today, Burrinja welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each year. First-time visitors are often surprised by the diversity of experiences on offer, from contemporary exhibitions and live music to theatre, workshops, festivals, artist studios and community programs. Nearly three decades after local residents fought to create a cultural centre for the hills, Burrinja remains a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can connect, create, learn and be inspired. It is, as it has always been, a space for community, culture and creativity in the Dandenong Ranges.
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