Aboriginal organisations

Connect with Aboriginal organisations within Darebin, through our Recognition and Discovery Map, links, partnerships, events and more.

In order to acknowledge and celebrate the depth and breadth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures within our municipality, we've created the Darebin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Recognition and Discovery Map(PDF, 4MB).

We hope you will use this resource as a guide to recognise and engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, and organisations.

The City of Darebin is home to a number of Aboriginal peak bodies, including Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), associations and community groups, from health, employment and legal services to childcare and education associations, sports clubs, music and radio.

This strong presence of Aboriginal organisations within the municipality offers great opportunities for genuine partnerships. Darebin City Council has long-standing relationships and has established collaborative practices with many of these groups in Darebin.

Aboriginal organisations located within or close to Darebin include:

• 3KND Aboriginal Radio
• Aboriginal Housing Victoria
• Dardi Munwurro
• Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. (VAEAI)
• Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited (VACSAL)
• Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA)
• Aborigines Advancement League (AAL)
• Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS)
• Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)
• Fitzroy Stars Football & Netball Club
• 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:

• Reconciliation Australia (Victoria)
• Aboriginal section of the Australian Catholic Ministry (ACM) 

Story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Darebin

The Story of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Darebin(PDF, 3MB) was commissioned by the Darebin Aboriginal Advisory Committee to raise awareness of:

• the Darebin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and
• the significant history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Darebin pre and post invasion,
• the relationship with Traditional Owners and custodians, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, and
• the living, diverse, dynamic and proud cultures 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.

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