Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations
Organisations, services and service providers that support First Nations people locally and across Victoria
These organisations provide information, services, support and cultural education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the broader community. The descriptions of the organisations are taken from their websites, with thanks.
Local organisations
Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
The Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation are a Traditional Owner organisation that represent the Bunurong people of the South-Eastern Kulin Nation.
The Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation are the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land we know as Bayside.
Find out more about the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
Gathering Places
An Aboriginal Gathering Place is a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal people to gather, meet and to establish a connection to each other and local culture. This space provides an opportunity for the development of community led and driven cultural programs which will enhance cultural identity, social inclusion and improved health and wellbeing.
Derrimut Weelam Gathering Place
The Derrimut Weelam Gathering Place in Mordialloc was established in 2017 for the Aboriginal community of the Kingston municipality to gather, meet and celebrate its rich, historic culture.
Find out more about Derrimut Weelam Gathering Place
Nairm Marr Djambana Gathering Place
Nairm Marr Djambana’s gathering place in Frankston is a welcoming safe place to improve Aboriginal health, cultural, recreation and social activities. It is a meeting place to provide opportunities to further advance and improve the health of Aboriginal people of all genders and ages. Other services also utilise the meeting spaces.
Find out more about Nairm Marr Djambana Gathering Place
Dandenong and Districts Aborigines Co-operative
Dandenong and Districts Aborigines Co-operative provides programs and services to meet the needs of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They provide a wide range of health care through their Bunurong Aboriginal Health Service as well as a variety of community programs to promote wellbeing and social engagement.
Find out more about Dandenong and Districts Aborigines Co-operative
First Peoples Health and Wellbeing
First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing is a dynamic Aboriginal community-controlled health organisation offering affordable primary healthcare services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People and their families in urban Melbourne. Clinics are located in Frankston and Thomastown.
Find out more about First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) was established in 1973 to address the specific medical needs of Victorian indigenous communities. The organisation has expanded steadily over past 40 years to provide a comprehensive range of medical, dental and social services for their community.
As well as providing a variety of medical services, VAHS is committed to supporting the well-being of the community through contributions to community events and activities. VAHS is also committed to assisting research into the ongoing needs of the community.
Find out more about Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation
Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation is an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation that is dedicated to delivering quality specialist alcohol and drug residential rehabilitation and outreach support services to meet the needs of Aboriginal people and their families.
Find out more about Ngwala Willumbong Aboriginal Corporation
State organisations
Reconciliation Victoria
Reconciliation Victoria is the state-wide body promoting reconciliation across Victoria. This means that they promote deeper understanding, respect and justice for and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Find out more about Reconciliation Victoria
Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association (VACSAL)
The Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd (VACSAL) is a state-wide agency that provides advice to Government on a range of community development issues as well as being a major provider of extensive services to the Aboriginal community in both the metropolitan and some regional communities.
Find out more about Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO)
The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) is the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing in Victoria, with a membership of 33 community-controlled organisations.
Find out more about the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation
Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA)
The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) is a state-wide Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) servicing children, young people, families, and community members.
Find out more about the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency
Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council
The Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council aims to help the community respect and understand Aboriginal Cultural Heritage and Traditional Owner responsibilities.
Find out more about the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council
Aboriginal Advancement League
The aims of the Aboriginal Advancement League are:
- To administrate and initiate programs which aim to improve the social, economic and cultural advancement of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Victoria.
- To promote self determination, self-sufficiency and self- management throughout the Aboriginal community of Victoria.
- To determine and comment upon State and Federal Governments policy in Aboriginal Affairs.
- To own, operate and maintain premises at Watt Street, Thornbury and other locations for the purposes of furthering the AAL premises.