Aboriginal organisations

In order to acknowledge and celebrate the depth and breadth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture within our municipality, we've created the Darebin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Recognition and Discovery Map.

We hope you will use this resource as a guide to recognising, and engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culture, and organisations.

The City of Darebin hosts a number of Aboriginal Peak Bodies, including associations and groups that lobby government on behalf of the interests of the members. From health, employment and legal services, to child care and education associations, sports clubs, music and radio.

There are a number of key Aboriginal organisations in the Darebin region with its specific business mandate. These association or groups have common interests and are generally established for the purposes of developing standards and processes, or to act on behalf of all members when lobbying government or promoting the interests of the members. The City of Darebin is unique in hosting many of the Aboriginal Peak Bodies within the Municipality. Darebin City Council has long standing relationship and have established collaborative practices with many of these groups in Darebin.

Aboriginal organisations located within or close to Darebin include:

• 3KND Aboriginal Radio
• Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. (VAEAI)

• Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited (VACSAL)

• Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Association (VACCA)
• Aborigines Advancement League (AAL)
• Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS)
• Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)
• Fitzroy Stars Football & Netball Club
• Minajalku Healing Centre
• Aboriginal Community Elders Service (ACES)
• SNAICC (Secretariat of National Aboriginal Islander Child Care
• Melbourne Aboriginal Youth Sport and Recreation (MAYSAR)

There are also several non-Aboriginal organisations that represent Aboriginal interests and that Council works closely with that are also located in the Darebin Regions, these include:
WISE Employment.

• Reconciliation Australia (Victoria)
• Australian Catholic Ministry (ACM)

You can download an information sheet with brief descriptions and contacts to these organisations.

Story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Darebin

The Story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Darebin was commissioned by the Darebin Aboriginal Advisory Committee to raise awareness of the Darebin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and the significant history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Darebin pre and post settlement, the relationship with Traditional Owners and the living, diverse, dynamic and proud culture that makes up the Darebin community today.

Darebin City Council recognises that this is by no means a comprehensive re-telling of the Aboriginal history of the local area, nor is it the only way that even this small part of the story could be told. Council also recognises that contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history within our municipality, and further afield, is constantly evolving. Much of the contemporary history remains with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to whom it belongs.

The Story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Darebin.

This resource complements the Darebin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Recognition and Discovery Map.