Killara Foundation | Creating sustainable employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Naarm (Melbourne)

Stability

About Our Organisation

Killara Foundation supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by providing pathways to employment, cultural connection, mentoring and service referral support.

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Our Services

Killara Foundation connects and empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander economies by mobilising knowledges and strengths.

We exist to unlock economic pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by working in partnership with communities, corporations and families to support inclusive, purpose-led initiatives.

We achieve this through our strategic principles of Stability (through tailored and holistic supports), Skills (through training and employment) and Connection (by elevating Culture).

Training & Employment Intake Program

Assisting First Nations young people with appropriate training and real employment within culturally-safe environments.

Community Outreach & Development

Engaging with and supporting Community with links to mentorship, housing, and relevant employment services.

Djilang Sistas Hub

A Culturally-safe space for First Nations women located in Djilang/Geelong and Naarm's Western regions to gather, seek assistance and grow holistically.

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Ngarrgu Djerring Cafe

Our very own social enterprise venture, providing culturally-safe employment and training opportunities for First Nations young people.

What a night! 🖤 💛 ❤️

Last Wednesday, our staunch Djilang Sistas Hub Coordinator Kylie presented on behalf of Killara Foundation at the Give Where You Live Foundation Pitch Up Geelong 2026.

Alongside local not-for-profit organisations @culturaaustralia and @cloverdalecommunitycentre, it was an inspiring evening where bold ideas were showcased to create meaningful change and strengthen opportunities, inclusion and resilience for women throughout the Geelong community.

We are excited to say that Kylie and the Hub raised just over $30,000! These are considerable funds for a grassroots program delivering vital supports alongside First Nations women throughout Djilang and Naarm’s western regions. See a snapshot below of Kylie’s pitch, with powerful words that highlight what the Hub is all about:

When one Aboriginal woman is supported by Djilang Sistas Hub, she gains more than a referral or service. She gains someone who will walk beside her, advocate for her and believe in her.

As her confidence grows, she reconnects with Culture.

She begins to trust again.

She accesses the services she needs.

She finds stable housing.

She improves her wellbeing.

She might study that course she’s been looking at for years.

She finds employment.

Her children see a mother who is thriving.

A big thank you to @givegeelong and @geelonglibraries for coordinating the event and giving us the opportunity to pitch, the MC on the night @jacintaparsons, and matched funders anthony_costa_foundation, @pmf_foundation and @tcpizza.

Image credit: @janefitzgeraldphotography

That’s a wrap on NAIDOC Week 2026!

It was a busy week for Killara staff and the Ngarrgu Djerring team - attending community events, feeding Mob, and continuing our work in creating pathways to employment and economic opportunity alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young peoples.

Swipe through to see what we got up to, celebrating 50 Years of Deadly!

#NAIDOC2026 #50YearsOfDeadly #NAIDOCWeek

Exciting news!

Killara Foundation and the Djilang Sistas Hub are excited to be part of Pitch Up 2026, the annual crowdfunding event of @givegeelong and @thefundingnetworkau.

Alongside not-for-profit organisations Cultura and Cloverdale Community Centre, we will be pitching bold ideas to create meaningful change and strengthen opportunities, inclusion and resilience for women throughout the Geelong community.

Harnessing the power of collective giving, we can receive vital funding needed to continue making a real difference in the lives of First Nations women and their families - creating culturally-safe gathering spaces and access points to holistic supports.

For more information and to book your FREE tickets to a night of impact, visit the link in our bio!

📅 Aug 5, 2026 5:30pm
📍 Geelong Library & Heritage Centre 51 Little Malop St, Geelong, VIC 3220

#collectivegiving #philanthropy #notforprofit #donate

Happy NAIDOC Week everyone! 🖤💛❤️

Celebrating this year’s theme ‘50 years of Deadly’, we mark an amazing milestone of staunch advocacy and resistance that honours the people who have built this movement. The calling of truth, the celebration of Culture, and the platforming of Elders and leaders’ voices that reckon with this country’s history and identity.

We also highlight the amazing artwork for NAIDOC 2026, ‘Paralpi’, by Zaachariaha Fielding - proud Yankunytjatjara man from the APY Lands of South Australia, and one of the country’s leading contemporary First Nations artists and musicians.

“Paralpi reflects movement, energy and continuity, carrying the stories of Ancestors forward while celebrating the creativity and cultural power of the next generation. Rich in colour and symbolism, the artwork speaks to the enduring strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples over the past 50 years of NAIDOC and beyond.”

365 days of the year. Always Was, Always Will Be Aboriginal Land.

#NAIDOC2026 #50YearsOfDeadly #NAIDOCWeek

Our impact in numbers over the last year!

* 4,320 hours of employment for young Mob across our social enterprises
* 4,536 hours of training and skill development through our intake programs
* $172,800 in wages creating the foundations for long-term economic participation

These numbers reflect real change - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young peoples gaining skills, stability and connection through pathways to culturally-safe employment.

Support us today, so that we can continue delivering meaningful economic and social outcomes alongside Community into the future.

Link in bio to donate!

#firstnations #socialimpact #supportcommunity #eofy #eofygiving

EOFY message from our Founder, Kyle Vander‑Kuyp OLY

Every dollar invested in Killara Foundation delivers social and economic return - for young people, employers and the country. As June 30 approaches, you can direct your EOFY giving to an organisation delivering measurable outcomes and long‑term impact for Mob, helping us grow our programs and social enterprise activity.

If you’d like to explore partnership opportunities or targeted support, we’d love to connect. Drop us a line, or visit our social enterprise café, Ngarrgu Djerring (6 Alfred Place, Melbourne CBD) for a yarn, coffee and a First Nations‑inspired meal.

Visit our EOFY Campaign page via the link in our bio to donate!

#eofy #eofygiving #firstnations #socialimpact #supportcommunity

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@killarafoundation

Support Killara Foundation

Ways to Give

Small to larger scale investments in our organisation can help sustain vital training, mentoring, and day-to-day outreach services that ensure people can access the stability, skills, and connections needed to thrive in employment.

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Ways to Engage

Engaging with Killara's programs and social enterprise is a practical step for organisations looking to create system change and address procurement targets that elevate First Nations businesses, and the economic advancement of First Nations communities.

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