Cultural engagement for Indigenous students
Discover an exciting range of cultural opportunities and events as an Indigenous student at Swinburne.
Artwork: Awabakal by Michelle Searle
Connect to community and culture with our programs
The Moondani Toombadool Centre (MTC) and the Indigenous Student Services team offer an exciting variety of cultural events and activities. Make new connections and friends, travel to new places and have fun while exploring Indigenous culture.
On this page:
Featured programs for Indigenous students
Each year, the Moondani Toombadool Centre and the Indigenous Student Services team hosts and connects students to an array of cultural opportunities and events.
UniSport Indigenous Nationals Competition
Every year, Swinburne enters a team in the UniSport Indigenous Nationals Competition – a fantastic way to meet other Indigenous students and make lifelong friends!
The competition is hosted by a different university each year, so the Swinburne team often travels interstate. Participation in the Swinburne Indigenous Nationals Competition is fully funded by the Moondani Toombadool Centre at no cost to students.
Swinburne team at the UniSport Indigenous Nationals Competition 2019.
A medal in the Indigenous Student Lounge from Swinburne's participation in the UniSport Indigenous Nationals Competition.
Swinburne regularly competes in the basketball championship at the UniSport Indigenous Nationals Competition.
MTC On-Country Development Program
The On-Country Development Program is an empowering experience offered by the Indigenous Student Services team. Students will get a collective opportunity to form friendships and cultivate personal development skills while connecting to country.
Two participants of the MTC On-Country Development Program relaxing in nature.
Participants of the MTC On-Country Development Program canoeing on a lake.
Indigenous students and MTC staff members around a bonfire during the MTC On-Country Development Program.
Other programs for Indigenous students
Reconciliation Week
Indigeous students can receive tickets to the AFL’s ‘Dreamtime at the G’ and Sir Doug Nicholls Round and the Indigenous Round for basketball and netball matches.
NAIDOC Week
Celebrate this important cultural date and connect with other Indigenous students at the Victorian NAIDOC Ball and attend the Victorian NAIDOC March with the MTC community.
Indigenous student NAIDOC art competition
Compete in a university-wide initiative run jointly by the MTC and Swinburne Student Life by submitting your individual piece of art.
Other cultural activities
MTC offers Indigenous students the opportunity to connect to a wide array of cultural events, including attending the Bangarra Dance Theatre and the Botanical Gardens Aboriginal Heritage Walk.
Subscribe to the Indigenous student newsletter
Keep up to date with MTC offerings through the Indigenous student monthly newsletter. All events and opportunities are shared to students' email accounts. Email indigenousstudents@swinburne.edu.au to request to be added to the mailing list.
Connect with us on social platforms
Read Indigenous news at Swinburne
-
Swinburne will ‘Keep the Fire Burning!’ for NAIDOC Week 2024
Swinburne University of Technology staff and students are coming together to ‘Keep the Fire Burning!’ this NAIDOC Week.
Thursday 04 July 2024 -
- Science
Inaugural Swinburne-CSIRO Indigenous Research Fellow joins national water quality forecasting project
Swinburne University of Technology has appointed spatial ecologist Associate Professor Sally Waller as its inaugural Swinburne-CSIRO Indigenous Research Fellow...
Thursday 13 June 2024 -
- Social Affairs
The number of Indigenous AFL players has plunged from 87 to 71. It’s going to get worse
The AFL has long positioned itself at the forefront of social causes, with Indigenous players in particular being held up as pillars of the game. However, the number of Indigenous players is on the decline, and this trend threatens the very integrity of the game.
Friday 24 May 2024 -
- Politics
The Voice: how do other countries represent Indigenous voices in government?
One of the claims advanced by the “no” campaign in the upcoming referendum on the Voice to Parliament is that “there is no comparable constitutional body like this anywhere in the world”. Yet across the globe there are many political institutions that seek to guarantee Indigenous peoples are heard.
Friday 22 September 2023 -
- Politics
Sport bodies say ‘yes’ to the Voice. But they should reflect on their own backyards too
More than 20 prominent Australian sport bodies have taken a united stand, publicly declaring their support for a “yes” vote on the Indigenous Voice to parliament.
Thursday 15 June 2023 -
- University
Swinburne reaffirms support for Voice to Parliament
National Reconciliation Week 2023 is particularly unique. It falls during a historic year, in which Australians are being asked to vote in a referendum to recognise First Peoples.
Tuesday 30 May 2023
Explore Indigenous events at Swinburne
-
Community
- Innovation
- Science
2024 Swinburne Youth Space Innovation Challenge
Join us for an exciting journey beyond the earth and into space with the Swinburne Space Innovation Challenge! Learn about the Australian space industry and how to design solutions to unique space-based problems.
Register now (2024 Swinburne Youth Space Innovation Challenge) -
Thought Leadership
Swinburne Annual Barak Wonga Oration
Refreshments will be served from 5.30pm with Oration commencing at 6.30pm
Register now (Swinburne Annual Barak Wonga Oration ) -
Community
- Sustainability
- Indigenous
Indigenous Voices in Water Management
Register now (Indigenous Voices in Water Management) -
Community
- Diversity
- Engagement
- Indigenous
Swinburne Annual Reconciliation Lecture 2023
Swinburne and the National Centre for Reconciliation Practice are delighted to welcome Mr Richard Young, a prominent Indigenous artist based in Victoria, to deliver the 2023 Swinburne Annual Reconciliation Lecture.
Register now (Swinburne Annual Reconciliation Lecture 2023) -
Community
- Diversity
- Engagement
- Indigenous
National Sorry Day Service
Swinburne is holding a service for staff and students to acknowledge the National Sorry Day and the effect on First Nations people.
Register now (National Sorry Day Service) -
Community
- Diversity
- Engagement
- Indigenous
Swinburne Annual Barak-Wonga Oration 2022
Take part in advancing understandings in the wider community on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues as part of Swinburne's Reconciliation Action Plan.
Register now (Swinburne Annual Barak-Wonga Oration 2022)
Explore more Indigenous student services
-
Indigenous Academic Success Program
-
Scholarships for Indigenous students
-
Careers and employability for Indigenous students
-
Indigenous spaces and places
-
Orientation for Indigenous students
-
Graduation for Indigenous students
-
Indigenous Student Charter
The story of this painting named Awabakal is underpinned by the four principles of the Indigenous Student Charter, which are expressed as four message sticks holding the knowledges of Being and Becoming, Being and Belonging, Cultural Responsiveness, and Indigenous Perspectives and Standpoints.
The emu and kangaroo tracks
The tracks on the message sticks represent the students' journey forward mimicking the gait of the emu and kangaroo as they are both only able to walk forward.
The manna gum leaves
The leaves represent our connection to land, the beautiful lands of the Wurundjeri people.
The circle
The circle supporting the message sticks represents the coming together to listen and learn to share building strong relationships and understanding the importance of a diverse range of cultural knowledge and perspectives that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students bring.
The red space
The red space represents the importance of nurturing a sense of belonging for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their connections to Mother Earth. The different surrounding dots are supportive of the unique relationship with the wider Swinburne community encouraging connectivity, inclusivity and a profound sense of belonging.
The tree
The tree symbolises a holistic way of teaching and shared ways of being connected. It incorporates growth and an inclusive learning environment.
The journey pathway
The pathway across the painting represents the students' journey, their ways of walking together and respectful shared connections. The circles along the pathways promote active participation and engagement through empowering self-confidence, courage, resilience and strength along their pathways to success.
Contact the Moondani Toombadool Centre
If you have any questions about our programs and services, contact the Indigenous Student Services team at indigenousstudents@swinburne.edu.au.