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
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How Michelle is breaking barriers to Close the Gap
- Education
- University
Swinburne alum Michelle Maxwell is a proud Koori woman who is determined to bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples’ education.
Thursday 20 March 2025 -
Indigenous Australian students explore STEM careers at MTC Future Aspirations Camp
- Education
- University
The MTC Future Aspirations Camp gave Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a hands-on STEM experience while exploring university life at Swinburne.
Thursday 20 February 2025 -
Enhancing study spaces with inspiring Indigenous artwork
- University
- Education
The AGSE building at Swinburne's Hawthorn campus has received a creative upgrade with two inspiring Indigenous artworks. Artist and designer Mandi Barton has created two beautiful artworks that encourage reflection and connection to Country.
Monday 17 February 2025 -
How Neane is using her degree to ensure her community will never be silenced
- Law
Swinburne alum Neane Carter was recently named Indigenous Lawyer of the Year at the Women in Law Awards. Neane is a senior solicitor, an activist and a multi-clan woman of the Yorta Yorta, Wamba Wamba, Djaara/Dja Dja Wurrung, Wotjobaluk and Wergaia Peoples of central and northern Victoria.
Friday 10 January 2025 -
Harnessing artificial intelligence to empower Indigenous peoples and cultures
- University
Dr Terri Janke, a Wuthathi, Yadhaigana, and Meriam woman, delivered the 2024 Barak Wonga Oration, hosted by Swinburne's Moondani Toombadool Centre.
Thursday 19 December 2024 -
Empathy, community and support: Robyn’s interstate journey to success
Robyn Phillips, a proud Djabugay and Yirrganydji woman of the Barron River region in Far North Queensland, has recently completed a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences at Swinburne while based over 2,000 kilometres away in Cairns.
Wednesday 18 December 2024
Explore Indigenous events at Swinburne
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2024 Swinburne Youth Space Innovation Challenge
Community- Innovation
- Science
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) -
Swinburne Annual Barak Wonga Oration
Thought LeadershipRefreshments will be served from 5.30pm with Oration commencing at 6.30pm
Register now (Swinburne Annual Barak Wonga Oration ) -
Indigenous Voices in Water Management
Community- Sustainability
- Indigenous
Register now (Indigenous Voices in Water Management) -
Swinburne Annual Reconciliation Lecture 2023
Community- Diversity
- Engagement
- Indigenous
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) -
National Sorry Day Service
Community- Diversity
- Engagement
- Indigenous
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) -
Swinburne Annual Barak-Wonga Oration 2022
Community- Diversity
- Engagement
- Indigenous
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
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Careers and employability for Indigenous students
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.