Wurundjeri Corporation & Darebin: A Partnership Built on Trust

Published on 18 November 2025

Trust and commitment: the foundation of a new partnership between Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and Darebin City Council.

As the first partnership of its kind in Victoria, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and Darebin City Council have signed a joint agreement to work together in protecting and promoting the cultural, environmental, and social rights of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people.

This self-determined framework - created by Wurundjeri for Wurundjeri - working in partnership with Darebin, marks a long-term commitment and sets a powerful precedent for other local Governments.

“This is important because we’re the Traditional Owners and we want every local government on our Country to have a formal partnership with us,” said Uncle Tony Garvey, Wurundjeri elder.

Mayor of Darebin, Cr Kristine Olaris OAM says this partnership has been a long-standing aspiration and reflects a strategic direction of our Council Plan, to be: A City that celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, values, knowledge and traditions, respects the right for self-determination and takes deliberate action toward Truth-telling.

“We are so honoured to be the first local government to formalise this partnership with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Corporation.”

“Our existing relationship has grown over many years, and I look forward to continuing this partnership to help our culture and country thrive,” Cr Olaris said.

The agreement will drive collaborative projects and initiatives aligned with the shared priorities of both organisations