A Riverland building with decades of Aboriginal community history is being brought back to life as Ngamrapku, a new food house where kangaroo burgers, wattleseed scones and saltbush-seasoned chips sit alongside art, culture, and the revival of a traditional language.
Located at the former Jerry Mason Senior Memorial Centre on Old Sturt Highway in Glossop, Ngamrapku Cafe is the latest project from the River Murray and Mallee Aboriginal Corporation (RMMAC).
“Ngamrapku means ‘Food house’,” RMMAC said.
“The name was chosen because Ngamrapku is a traditional Ngaiawang name, we are in the process of reviving this language, so what better way than to name our cafe in a traditional name.”
For RMMAC, Ngamrapku represents what they hope the café will become: a welcoming food house where Aboriginal culture is visible and celebrated, where people can connect over food and coffee, and where the wider community can come together.
Food is central to that experience, with the menu pairing familiar cafe favourites with native ingredients and flavours connected to Country, including chips seasoned with saltbush, a kangaroo steak burger, tempura fish with Old Man Saltbush, fried bread with quandong-strawberry jam and wattleseed scones.
“We want people to be able to come in for a great coffee or meal while also having the opportunity to try ingredients and flavours they may not have experienced before,” RMMAC said.
“Our approach has been guided by respect for culture and a desire to introduce people to native ingredients.”
Among those ingredients is Old Man Saltbush, a native plant with a long history of cultural use.
“Old Man Saltbush was used traditionally for food seasoning, cultural smoking practices, damper and wind breaks,” RMMAC said.
“Through Ngamrapku, we hope to create opportunities for people to learn more about native ingredients, culture and Country while enjoying really good food.”
But the significance of Ngamrapku extends beyond what is on the menu. The building itself already holds an important place in the Riverland’s Aboriginal community history.
The site was previously home to the Jerry Mason Senior Memorial Centre, a significant Aboriginal community space founded by Agnes Rigney, who was the first Aboriginal woman elected to local government in South Australia.
“Many local people already have memories and connections associated with the site,” RMMAC said.
Now, RMMAC hopes Ngamrapku can write a new chapter in the building’s story.
Inside, Aboriginal artwork and design elements have been incorporated throughout the café, while the venue is also connected to the KawanWumpu Culture Centre, where visitors can see Aboriginal artworks and artefacts.
Currently on display are decoy ducks, grinding stones and local artworks created by members of the community.
The café’s logo was designed by Daniel from Blak Scarlett in collaboration with a local community workshop, creating a visual identity shaped by the community itself.
For RMMAC, opening Ngamrapku also fulfils a long-held ambition to move into the food industry while creating another way to share culture.
“We are big on educating others about our traditional foods and medicines,” RMMAC said.
“We also see Ngamrapku as something that can continue to develop with our community. The café opening is really the beginning of what we hope the space will become.”
The organisation is now developing plans for the cultural centre component of the site, with potential future offerings including group bookings, catering, community activities, cultural experiences, events and opportunities to showcase Aboriginal artists, products and stories.
“We want the space to grow organically and respond to what our members and the broader community would like to see there,” RMMAC said.
“One of the things we are most excited about is seeing people actually use the space.
“We want Ngamrapku to be somewhere people feel comfortable dropping in for their morning coffee, meeting friends for lunch, bringing visitors to experience, or spending some time learning more about Aboriginal culture in the River Murray and Mallee region.”
Ngamrapku Café will celebrate its Grand Opening on Friday, August 28, from 10am to 2pm, with native plants, a barbeque, facepainting, and music.
Ngamrapku Cafe
When: 7:30am to 3:30pm Monday to Friday.
Where: 515 Old Sturt Highway, Glossop
To find out more, click here.
