Aboriginal Melbourne

20/03/2026

“Some people are violent towards you for how you look. Others dismiss your identity because you don’t look how they expect.”

Ahead of International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination tomorrow, we’re sharing First Peoples’ experiences as a call to action for leaders, educators and workplaces – because there’s nothing casual about racism.

Learn more. https://bit.ly/4lAjvxH

Produced by GARUWA in collaboration with Australian Human Rights Commission

03/03/2026

Visit Moomba Festival this weekend and learn about the creation of a Stolen Generations Marker for our city.

There will also be free activities including kids colouring in from 10:30am-2pm and a weaving workshop from 11am-2pm.

📍 Peppercorn Lawn, Alexandra Gardens
📅 Saturday 7 & Sunday 8 March

22/10/2025

Applications are now open for 6-week exhibitions at our City Library Gallery, and Library at the Dock Gallery and window space.

Spaces are free of charge for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and arts organisations.

Places in the program are limited, so get in quick!

Applications close 10 November 2025.

For more info and to apply, visit

https://bit.ly/3YcZrpD

09/10/2025

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻

Are you a community group, school or not-for-profit organisation supporting Aboriginal Victorians?

Whether you’re educating the community about Aboriginal culture, providing social or economic opportunities or planning a NAIDOC Week event, you may be eligible for up $10,000 in funding through our Aboriginal Community Grants Program.

Applications close on Friday 31 October 2025.

To find out more and to apply, visit

Funding for First Nations initiatives.

02/10/2025

Take a step back in time and discover hidden treasures from Melbourne’s past in an extraordinary, free exhibition coming to City Gallery from 2 October.

You Are Here: Melbourne Memory-scapes showcases extraordinary aerial photographs from City of Melbourne’s historical archive alongside contemporary artistic responses.

Curated by Angela Bailey, the exhibition explores historical snapshots of Melbourne alongside specially commissioned poetry by Wergaia / Wemba Wemba writer Susie Anderson and work by Wathaurung Elder Marlene Gilson.

Plan your visit at https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/event/you-are-here-melbourne-memory-scapes

22/09/2025

Reminder all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives - City of Melbourne’s Aboriginal Arts Grants CLOSE this week!

Grants of up to $20,000 are available to support local creatives share their stories and talent through all art forms including performance art, dance, theatre, music, writing and visual art. Applications close Sunday 28 September.
melbourne.vic.gov.au/aboriginalartsgrants

📷Glenn Shea, Three Magpies Perched in a Tree, image Darren Gill, 2024

05/08/2025

𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐖𝐮𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐣𝐞𝐫𝐢 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤 | 𝟒 – 𝟏𝟎 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
This week is Wurundjeri Week, a time to recognise and celebrate the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin.

Wurundjeri Week is close to another significant date - the anniversary of the passing of William Barak. A revered Wurundjeri Ancestor, Barak was Ngurungaeta (leader) of the Wurundjeri people from 1874, to his passing on 15 August 1903.

We proudly acknowledge Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung as Traditional Owners of much of the land we govern and thank them for their leadership and care for this Country.

𝐆𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐝
Learn more about Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung history, culture, ancestors, language, significant places and achievements by visiting the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation website (https://bit.ly/3R2pJa3).

Check out our Children's libraries with Wurundjeri Authors' books on display and plenty of colouring in pages and activities (https://bit.ly/3B1s8xQ).

03/08/2025

Calling all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives - City of Melbourne’s Aboriginal Arts Grants are now open!

Grants of up to $20,000 are available to support local creatives share their stories and talent through all art forms including performance art, dance, theatre, music, writing and visual art. Applications close 28 September.

melbourne.vic.gov.au/aboriginalartsgrants

📷 Glen Shea, Three Magpies Perched in a Tree. Image by Darren Gill 2024

28/07/2025

📣 Mob in the arts! Want to get stronger at writing grants? This free training can help you tell your story and back your ideas. Deadly opportunity to yarn about funding and get the support you need 🎨

Are you keen to learn more about grant writing with the support of ILBIJERRI Theatre Company and City of Melbourne professionals?

We are teaming up to host a series of two informal grant writing workshops at the ILBIJERRI offices in Collingwood Yards on Monday August 4 and Wednesday August 6.

Coinciding with City of Melbourne’s 2026 Aboriginal Arts Grants, opening Friday 1 August, each session will cover useful information about the grant writing process. Including how to communicate your ideas, formulate budgets, develop support material and seek letters of support.

The workshops will also be an opportunity to meet the ILBIJERRI and CoM Arts Grants teams in person, and have one-on-one chats about your creative work and the application process.

Bookings are encouraged but not required.

Full details:
ILBIJERRI Theatre Company & City of Melbourne Aboriginal Arts Grants Workshops

4 August and 6 August from 10 to 4pm

Collingwood Yards, Unit 104/30 Perry Street, Collingwood

Read more and register here: https://www.ilbijerri.com.au/programs/footprints/

08/07/2025

NAIDOC in the City is this Friday!

Join us from 1pm at Fed Square for a free celebration of music, culture, and community. Featuring a powerhouse lineup, the KHT NAIDOC Market, workshops, Elders Lounge, kids’ activities, AFL/AFLW pop-up, delicious food stalls, and much more.

https://www.facebook.com/share/15qtsEpMw1/

01/07/2025

NAIDOC Week kicks off this Sunday! Join us as we celebrate Aboriginal culture, community and achievement with our exciting program of free events from 6-13 July. From live music and arts at NAIDOC in the City, to a range of fun library events including reading parties, Wurundjeri children’s workshop, a First Nations film screening, native painting workshop, and much more.

Explore the full program at melbourne.vic.gov.au/naidoc-week