Darebin Intercultural Centre

A place where people cultivate mutual respect for each other’s cultures and identities and can equally participate in civic and community life.

About the IC

The Darebin Intercultural Centre (IC) is a place where people from across the community can build respect and understanding for each other’s cultures and identities, through conversations, programs, activities and events. We are open weekdays and invite everyone to come in, connect and explore this exciting new space. Stop by for a free tea or coffee and relax in our lounge area.

Centre operating hours

The Centre is open Monday to Friday, 10am – 4pm.
For all enquiries, please email us at intercultural@darebin.vic.gov.au.

What's on

We value and promote the connections that happen within and between diverse communities, generations and identities. Through our programming, we create the space, time and opportunity for individuals and groups to reflect on how they differ and what they share. Our events and ongoing programs are intended to inspire insight, encourage understanding and open up new worlds. We support, generate and pursue ideas that are co-designed, or community or Council-led.

The Centre is available for activities which align with our Programming Framework(PDF, 546KB) on weekdays and weekends, after-hours and on public holidays, from 10am—9pm.

To enquire about a space, please email us at intercultural@darebin.vic.gov.au.

Stay up to date with news and events from the Darebin Intercultural Centre by subscribing to our digital newsletter below.

Upcoming programs

We have a range of re-occurring programs and occasional special events on offer at the Darebin Intercultural Centre. Subscribe to our newsletter for a monthly update or see what's on at the IC below. We look forward to seeing you.

What's on at the IC

IC Open Access

Darebin Intercultural Centre (IC) occasionally offers expressions of interest for our IC Open Access program throughout the year.
In this program we offer space, time and funding for you to explore and share your ideas about culture, identity and intersectionality.

For further information please see our Application Guidelines(PDF, 302KB) and Information Slides(PDF, 4MB).

Applications are currently closed for the Open Access program.

Weaving Classes

We have limited places available for adults from refugee or asylum seeker backgrounds to join these weekly weaving classes to explore tapestry making and other creative mediums.

Mondays, 10am - 1pm from 3 February 2025

Find out more about Weaving Classes

Wednesday Drop-in Sessions

Stop by our free weekly drop-in sessions to get support from local service providers and community organisations.

DIVRS Community Support Workers Wednesdays 11am - 3pm from 29 January 2025
Services Australia Wednesdays 1 - 3pm from 29 January 2025

Come in on the day, no need to register.

Find out more about Wednesday Drop-in Sessions

StARTalking Creative Workshops

Connect with others in your community over free activities such as painting, craft, card making, scrapbooking, art and more. You will also get tips on how to improve your mental health and physical wellbeing from La Trobe University student nurses.

Thursdays, 2 - 4pm from 27 March - 10 July 2025

Come in on the day, no need to register.

Find out more about Startalking Creative Workshops

English Pronunciation Tutorials

Practice your English language pronunciation in a free 1-on-1, 30-minute session with an experienced tutor.

Fridays (excluding school holidays) 11am - 12:30pm from 31 January 2025

Come in on the day, no need to register.

Find out more about English Pronunciation Tutorials

Volunteer at the IC

If you are interested in volunteering at the IC you can register your interest here or email us at intercultural@darebin.vic.gov.au.

Background

The Darebin Intercultural Centre has moved to a purpose-built space that has been co-designed in partnership with the Wurundjeri Woi wurrung Traditional Owners and members of our diverse community. The new Centre occupies a ground-level renovated section of Council’s High Street building with chambers, meeting rooms and offices remaining on the first floor. The renewal of the Darebin Intercultural Centre program is guided by a Programming Framework that was also co-designed with Traditional Owners and the community.

Learn more about our vision and mission by reading our Programming Framework(PDF, 546KB).

For more information about the history of this project, please visit Your Say Darebin.

Accessibility

The Darebin Intercultural Centre has the following access features:

An accessible car parking space located at the front of the building
DDA compliant ramps to entrance with handrails
Braille & tactile signage displayed to identify each sanitary facility and required exit
Accessible toilets
Pictogram signage for bathroom
Baby change facilities
Kitchenette
Hearing augmentation
Prayer / reflection room
Nearby: Changing Places bathroom (opposite Preston library).

For further information on Darebin Intercultural Centre's access for our events and conditions of entry please see our Ticketing Terms and conditions(PDF, 167KB).

For more information on how to visit the Darebin Intercultural Centre, please see our how to get here guide(PDF, 3MB) .

Photo credit: Peter Bennetts

Image description: An orange room with white tables, plastic chairs and day-lit windows. The orange walls of the room have large, rounded, vertical corrugations. A thick, orange curtain screens off half the space. The floor coverings are half orange carpet, half wooden floorboards. A section of the ceiling is metallic silver.