The Banksia Project expands and enriches the Dandjoo Darbalung Centre, an initiative that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students as they transition into university life. Dandjoo Darbalung means “mixing together” in Noongar, evoking the way fresh and salt water meet and blend in the Swan estuary across from the College.

Research conducted jointly by St Catherine’s College and Wilson Architects identified that many Indigenous students experience dislocation and isolation upon entering university. Traditional campus housing, characterised by closed corridors, limited communal areas, and accidental social interaction, can unintentionally exacerbate loneliness, negatively affecting wellbeing, academic performance, and retention. The Banksia Project responds directly to these challenges by rethinking the very structure of residential life.