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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Report uncovers complexity of cyber safety in remote communities
- Social Affairs
New research from Swinburne has highlighted the cyber safety issues facing Aboriginal communities.Monday 21 November 2016 -
Expanding Indigenous spaces across Swinburne
- University
Through the leadership of the Moondani Toombadool Centre and the Reconciliation Action Plan, there are many exciting developments regarding Indigenous spaces on campus.
Tuesday 13 July 2021 -
Restoring endangered Indigenous languages in Victoria
- Student News
- University
Swinburne students are the first in Victoria to graduate with a Certificate IV in Teaching an Endangered Aboriginal Language, empowering them to teach Indigenous languages in their communities.
Friday 17 September 2021 -
Indigenous Voice: co-design for community representation
- Social Affairs
A webinar featuring Swinburne’s Dr Emma Lee from the Centre for Social Impact discussed the opportunities and challenges of an Indigenous Voice.
Thursday 18 March 2021 -
Digital place-making in the Northern Territory
- Design
Dr Edwards-Vandenhoek has worked with an Indigenous community to share their art in new media forms.Tuesday 08 November 2016 -
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
Explore Indigenous events at Swinburne
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Indigenous Voices in Water Management
Community- Sustainability
- Indigenous
Register now (Indigenous Voices in Water Management) -
2020 Swinburne Annual Barak Wonga Oration
- Indigenous
Swinburne University of Technology and the Moondani Toombadool Centre are proud to have Dr Lois Peeler AM, deliver this years Annual Barak Wonga Oration.
Learn more (2020 Swinburne Annual Barak Wonga Oration) -
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 ) -
Swinburne Indigenous Studies Seminar
ResearchYindyanga Yanha Yindymarra: Cultural Safety and Ethical Research Practices
Wiradjuri Scholar, Dr. Sadie Heckenberg, is an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research Fellow in the Moondani Toombadool Centre. Sadie’s research focuses on Cultural Safety, protecting Indigenous spoken knowledge and ethical research frameworks. A Fulbright Scholar, Sadie holds a ministerial appointment on the Higher Education Standards Panel.
Click here to read more on Dr. Sadie's research.
Register now (Swinburne Indigenous Studies Seminar) -
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 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)
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.
