We are excited to announce that Ngarrgu Djerring is this year’s winner of the 2025 ‘Lord Mayor’s Small Social Enterprise Award’. We are proud to be a welcoming cultural space in Naarm and this recognition is a testament to our team’s hard work and a significant achievement for us! 🖤💛❤️
It was a fun day out at Mt. Atkinson on Saturday as @killara_cafe hosted it’s ‘Touch, Taste, Smell’ Event alongside chef Greg Hampton!
It was a great opportunity for the local community to connect with and celebrate First Nations Cultures by learning more about native foods and trying out some native infused dishes.
There was live music from storyteller and deadly guitarist @robertkchampmusic , and an interactive cultural workshop ran by Kylie Skew’s Cultural Connections.
#ourplace #firstnations #indigenous #aboriginal #supportaboriginal #employment #housing #guidance #mentorship #community
A Celebration of Culture and Cuisine!
Our very own social enterprise cafe, Ngarrgu Djerring, had it’s soft launch on Monday at 6 Alfred Place in Melbourne’s CBD. Formally opened by Wurundjeri Elder, Uncle Colin Hunter Jnr, Ngarrgu Djerring is a space where culture, community, and creativity entwine.
“Ngarrgu” means knowledge and “Djerring” means together in Woi-wurrung language. The Ngarrgu Djerring approach focuses on delivering high quality and sustainable food and beverage that showcases thriving First Nations agricultural practices, while providing culturally-safe employment and training opportunities for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
A big thank you to our key supporters for this exciting project - Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, @cityofmelbourne , Mirvac, @mccormack_property , @propertyindustryfoundation , @genovesecoffee and other industry partners.
Ngarrgu Djerring café officially opens October 1st, come by when you’re next in the area!
#ourplace #firstnations #indigenous #aboriginal #supportaboriginal #employment #socialenterprise #cafe #housing #guidance #mentorship #community
Well that was fun!
Over two big days, the Ngarrgu Djerring team hosted a native touch, taste, smell experience at the Little Food Festival in Federation Square. Kids and parents explored native foods and plants while learning about their cultural significance in a hands‑on, playful way.
We also ran a vote for everyone’s favourite native food at the festival. From bright, zesty finger lime to rich, tangy quandong, there were so many standouts - each one packed with the kind of nutrients you rarely find in common supermarket options.
We’re excited to share that Finger Lime and Davidson Plum were tied winners. Keep an eye out for Chef Greg’s upcoming weekly specials featuring these flavours at our social enterprise café.
A huge thank you to the team behind the Little Food Festival and key partners for having us, and to all the amazing stallholders who helped make our first year such a great experience!
#firstnations #socialenterprise #nativefood #sharingculture
We had such a great afternoon last Friday at Kathleen Syme Library @cityofmelbournelibraries ❤️
Alongside Wurundjeri Education, we shared knowledge about native plants - exploring their flavour profiles, medicinal properties, and how they are traditionally grown and harvested. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect local community with the richness of First Nations knowledges and Culture.
It was also fantastic to see the work of @growgardens.au , who supported the design and planting of the library’s very own bush pantry. Grow is a social enterprise providing high-quality garden and landscaping services while creating employment opportunities for First Nations young people.
#firsnations #socialenterprise #cafemelbourne #sharingculture #nativeingrediants
Our Ngarrgu Djerring team had a great time running the coffee cart at the League for the @koorieeducation (VAEAI) symposium hosted late Feb.
It was a fantastic day connecting with Community, sharing conversations, and serving coffee while supporting an event focused on strengthening Aboriginal education and leadership.
Opportunities like this highlight the power of community partnerships and social enterprise - creating spaces where people can come together, support each other, and build pathways for the future.
#firsnations #socialenterprise #cafemelbourne #blakbusiness #nativeingrediants
It was great to catch up with the Libraries and First Nations team from @portphilliplibraries to explore future partnership opportunities for 2026!
This work is led by Killara Community Outreach & Development Officer James Williams - creating safe spaces throughout Naarm and connecting to people where they are and to the supports they need.
We look forward to developing programs alongside local Mob to strengthen Culture and self-determination across @cityofportphillip !
#firstnations #supportaboriginal #communityprograms #culture #selfdetermination
Last Friday we recognised the 18th Anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations, honouring the strength and resilience of Stolen Generations survivors and those who have passed on to the Dreaming.
Hosted by Link-Up Victoria, @vaccaorg , @connectinghome and @darebincouncil , the event took place at the Darebin Town Hall and featured speakers including Killara’s Founder and Co-Chair Kyle Vander-Kuyp speaking on behalf of Connecting Home - a dedicated, culturally-safe support service for the Stolen Generations across South-Eastern Australia.
Pictured is Kyle speaking at Preston City Hall, and Kyle alongside James our Community Outreach & Development Officer with Aunty Eva-Jo Edwards.
It was a great day out for the @killara_cafe team last Saturday for the Mt. Atkinson Open Doors Festival, bringing communities together while platforming social enterprise!
Our very own coffee cart was on show, serving up coffees with fresh new beans from @humblebrag.au , a social enterprise sourcing and roasting high quality, ethical coffee that donates 50% of profits to support Indigenous young peoples and international aid programs.
A shout out also to @streatmelbourne , another leading social enterprise supporting young people throughout Naarm, who’s pantry products can now be purchased through the café. From classic granola, to mango chutney and strawberry rubarb jam, these staples use local produce and are preservative-free, with all profits going back into providing wrap around support and employment pathways to vulnerable young people through their youth programs.
#killaracafe #firstnations #socialenterprise #employmentpathways #youthprograms
It’s Biderap season!
Did you know that there are seven Wurundjeri seasons, each reflecting the movements of the stars and a change in the weather, which align with the life cycle of plants and animals.
Biderap marks the dry season between January and February, typically hot with low rainfall.
At Ngarrgu Djerring, we’re celebrating nutrient-rich native foods as they come into season. From Kangaroo, to fresh bush tomatoes and wattleseed, this month’s menu reflects the land, Culture, and stories of Biderap - served to you everyday.
Image credit: @gowrie.victoria ❤️
#ngarrgudjerring #firstnationsfood #biderapseason #nativeingredients #socialenterprise
Programs Update!
We were grateful to have Madison Connors of @yarli_creative , proud Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, and Gamilaroi woman, speaking to the group last week who are taking part in our Launch into Work Program.
It was a super informative, practical discussion on lateral violence and its effects on Community, from mental and physical well-being to one’s sense of self, spirit and identity.
Everything we do at Killara puts Culture and Connection first, so that we can build pathways for young Mob to gain skills, find stability, and thrive.
#firstnations #supportaboriginal #socialenterprise #employmentpathways #launchintowork
January 26 is not a date to celebrate.
Ahead of Monday’s #survivalday #dayofmourning #invasionday, take a moment to reflect and educate yourself on what this date signifies in Australia’s history, and stand in solidarity with Mob.
Show your support by working on the public holiday, attending an event held throughout the country, donating to Aboriginal organisations and grassroots Community groups, and buying from Blak-owned businesses.
Donate, buy, pay the rent:
- @djirravic
- @bubupwilamacfc
- @antar_national
- @clothingthegaps
- @blakpearlstudiofitzroy
- @thetorchvic
- @tradingblak
- @grassroots_ptr
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that are in need of support during this time, there are various platforms to reach out to:
13 YARN: Call 13 92 76 (24 hours/7 days crisis support)
WellMob: Social, emotional and cultural online resources
Lifeline: Call 13 11 14
Image credit: @clothingthegaps 🖤💛❤️
