23 Jun 2025
Supporting Victorian Aboriginal businesses, entrepreneurs and artists to flourish.
The hubs will be culturally safe spaces where Aboriginal businesses, entrepreneurs and students can network, collaborate, access professional and cultural resources, develop ideas and showcase their businesses to the region.
The Aboriginal economic hubs will be managed by Traditional Owner Corporations:
- Abbotsford – Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation
- Frankston – Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
- Heywood – Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owner Corporation
- Shepparton – Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation
- Warrnambool – Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation.
The facilities and services at each hub will be designed to meet the needs of the local communities. The services may include community workshops, leadership training, mentoring, networking opportunities, and tourism and hospitality initiatives.
The 5 new hubs will build on the success of the already existing 4 Aboriginal economic hubs in Victoria, 3 of which have passed the one-year milestone:
- Ballarat – Wadawurrung Aboriginal Economic Hub
- Bendigo – DUMAWUL Hub created by Traditional Owner group DJAARA
- Geelong – Murran hub led by Ngarrimili
- Morwell – Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) Community Economic Hub.
Communities in these areas have access to programs and initiatives provided by the hubs including business mentoring and networking, cultural tours, art galleries, hot desk spaces and more.
Helping Aboriginal businesses to start, grow and thrive is aligned with the Yuma Yirramboi Strategy. Yuma Yirramboi is the Victorian Government and Aboriginal Victorians' shared vision to generate greater individual and collective wealth for Aboriginal Victorians.
Yuma Yirramboi in the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung language means ‘Invest in Tomorrow’.
First Nations Traditional Owner Corporations are at the heart of preserving Indigenous culture, managing land and boosting economic growth. By connecting with Traditional Owner Corporations through these economic hubs, you can help build cultural bridges, spark collaborations and support the vibrant growth of First Nations communities.
- For more information, read the Yuma Yirramboi Strategy.
- Get involved by developing a Reconciliation Action Plan or supporting local First Nations businesses with Bridging Now to Next during National Reconciliation Week.
- Support First Nations business directories, organisations and Traditional Owner Corporations with Keep the fire burning: connecting with First Nations businesses.
Image credits: Wulumbarra Dancers at the opening of the DUMAWUL Cultural Tourism and Creative Arts Hub in Bendigo created by Traditional Owners group DJAARA. Photo by Bill Conroy.