Ngarara Willim Centre celebrates 30 years

Ngarara Willim Centre celebrates 30 years

RMIT’s Ngarara Willim Centre has marked 30 years of supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across the University.

Ngarara Willim means "gathering place" and "home" in the Woi wurrung and Boon Wurrung languages of the Kulin Nation.

Deadly Alumni, students, Elders, community members and current and former staff came together at Storey Hall on 4 September to celebrate the milestone.

The evening opened with a Welcome to Country and dance by Djirri Djirri and included music, stories and reflections from people connected with the Centre.

ngarara-willim-4RMIT Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Education, Research and Engagement Professor Gary Thomas (right) and Principal First Nations Library Advisor Cathy Doe in the foreground.

The Indigenous-led Centre offers academic, cultural, wellbeing and careers programs and services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students across RMIT’s vocational and higher education programs. It also delivers outreach and access programs for prospective Indigenous students and communities.

Ngarara Willim Centres at RMIT’s City, Brunswick and Bundoora campuses provide spaces where students can come to study, seek support and connect with each other.

RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Alec Cameron said the anniversary celebrated three decades of Indigenous leadership, care, advocacy and opportunity.

“Success is bigger than gaining a qualification. It means thriving at university while staying strong in culture and identity.” 

He said Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students brought knowledge, talent, leadership and aspirations that strengthened RMIT and contributed to their professions, families, communities and Country.

Timeline highlights

ngarara-willim-1The 2015 opening of the Ngarara Willim Centre at its current City campus location in Building 5.

  • 1980: RMIT introduces a special entry scheme for Aboriginal applicants.

  • Early 1990s: The Koorie Education Working Party is established and RMIT appoints dedicated Koorie education staff.

  • 1996: The Koorie Education Unit opens.

  • 2008: The Ngarara Willim Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples is formally named. 

  • 2017: Ngarara Willim Centres open at Brunswick and Bundoora campuses and the Deadly Alumni program is formalised.

  • 2024: RMIT develops its first Indigenous Student Success Strategy.

Celebrating Deadly Alumni

Almost 1,600 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates are now part of RMIT’s Deadly Alumni community. A further 100 Indigenous students are expected to graduate in 2026. 

RMIT graduate Jedda Atkinson-Costa, an elected member of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, hosted the celebration. 

Trawlwoolway and Wiradjuri musician and RMIT graduate CANISHA performed.

ngarara-willim-2Professor N’arwee’t Carolyn Briggs AM (left) and Distinguished Professor Uncle Mark Rose AM (right).

Distinguished Professor Uncle Mark Rose AM, one of RMIT’s first Indigenous PhD graduates, reflected on the Centre’s early years. In August, he was appointed First Nations Commissioner of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission.

Professor N’arwee’t Carolyn Briggs AM, a Boon Wurrung Senior Elder and Deadly Alumna, also spoke at the celebration. In 2020, she graduated from RMIT alongside her daughter and granddaughter, bringing three generations of the family together at graduation.

Ngarrindjeri woman Kimberly Lovegrove was named the inaugural recipient of RMIT’s Deadly Alumni Award, recognising her ongoing connection to RMIT and Ngarara Willim and her contributions to community.

ngarara-willim-3Inaugural Deadly Alumni Award recipient Kimberly Lovegrove (right) with Ngarara Willim Centre Senior Manager Nicole Shanahan.

Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous Education, Research and Engagement Professor Gary Thomas said the anniversary was a chance to recognise the Centre’s history and look ahead to its future.

“While we celebrate the achievements of students and staff of the Ngarara Willim Centre over the past thirty years we also look forward to their continued success.

“The future for Ngarara Willim is bright as it continues to be both a gathering place and home for generations of students to come.

“Ngarara Willim Centre will be a beacon sharing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ stories, cultures and excellence.” 

Working with Community

Ngarara Willim has long worked with Elders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations.

Since 2002, RMIT has delivered more than 25 community programs in collaboration withn Aboriginal community organisations in Victoria and the Northern Territory, providing education and training to more than 200 community members.

11 September 2026

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11 September 2026

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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