April was a month of connection, culture and community across KARI programs and initiatives.
From Unity Day celebrations in Queensland and New South Wales to swim safety, mentoring and community support programs, KARI teams continued creating meaningful impact for Aboriginal children, young people, families and Elders across multiple regions.
This month’s highlights showcase the power of community-led programs, strong partnerships and creating opportunities for communities to thrive.
Unity Day QLD
On the 8th of April, KARI brought the Gold Coast community together for our 4th annual Unity Day, creating a vibrant day of culture, connection and celebration.
Local families came out in force to enjoy live performances from the Biren Cultural Dance Group and the Karem Bau Torres Strait Islander Dance Group, bringing culture, energy and pride to the centre of the day.
The day was packed with activity, including the Wild Rangers reptile show, which was a standout for kids and families, alongside the opportunity to meet AFL and AFLW Gold Coast Suns Indigenous players.
With a free BBQ provided by Cater Care and support from Generators Australia, the event created a welcoming space for everyone to come together.
This event was proudly supported by ETC, The Benevolent Society, Gold Coast Suns and Managing Pain Employment Services.
Unity Day continues to strengthen local connections on the Gold Coast, creating meaningful, inclusive spaces where culture is celebrated and community comes together.
Community Programs April Highlights
April was another active and rewarding month for KARI’s Community Programs NSW team, with a strong focus on community connection, cultural engagement and ongoing support for Aboriginal children, young people, families and Elders across the region.
On the 9th and 10th of April, the team delivered KARI’s second NSW Swim Safety Program for the year in the Campbelltown area, supporting young people aged 7–14. Across the two-day program, participants built confidence and essential water safety skills through hands-on learning in a variety of environments, including the swimming pool, inland waterways and the beach. Alongside practical life-saving education, participants also took part in cultural activities that strengthened connection, confidence and community.
Throughout the month, the Community Programs team also attended a number of community events and pop-ups, including Erskine Park High School’s annual Heritage Day celebration and the Sydney Regional Aboriginal Corporation Easter Festival. These events provided valuable opportunities to engage with local families, celebrate culture and strengthen relationships within the community.
The team also continued delivering ongoing support initiatives across NSW, including monthly hamper deliveries to Elders in the Fairfield and Bankstown areas, as well as Elder and Aboriginal family support hampers throughout the South Coast region. These deliveries play an important role in ensuring community members feel supported, connected and cared for.
Programs and initiatives like these continue to create meaningful impact by strengthening community connection, supporting wellbeing and providing culturally safe opportunities for Aboriginal children, young people, families and Elders across NSW.
Unity Day NSW
On the 15th of April, KARI delivered our 13th annual Unity Day in NSW, bringing thousands of community members together for a powerful day of culture, connection and celebration.
With free rides and a free community BBQ, families came from across the region to be part of a vibrant and inclusive event.The day showcased incredible local talent, with performances from VIP students and the KARI Singers, alongside a didgeridoo stripping competition that drew strong engagement and cultural interest.
Unity Day NSW continues to grow each year, creating a space where community can come together, celebrate culture and strengthen connections in a fun, welcoming environment.
Opportunity Hub Highlights
April was another meaningful month for the Greater Western Sydney Opportunity Hub team. Despite the school holidays and public holidays throughout the month, the team remained actively engaged in the community, creating opportunities for young people and strengthening connections with families across the region.
On 16 April, in partnership with the Western Sydney Wanderers, the Opportunity Hub hosted a Community Soccer Clinic Day at Jamison Park. The event brought together local young people and parents for a day focused on connection, confidence-building and healthy activity. Participants had the opportunity to develop their soccer skills, throw boomerangs and take part in the inflatable spear throwing activity, creating a fun and culturally engaging environment for everyone involved.
The event also welcomed the Nepean Highway Patrol, who attended with their highway patrol vehicles featuring Aboriginal artwork designs. Young people were given the opportunity to explore the vehicles, ask questions and engage positively with officers, helping to build trust, connection and stronger community relationships.
On 21 April, the Opportunity Hub team visited 2GB, where they spoke with Mark Levy about the work being delivered through the Hub. The interview provided an important opportunity to raise awareness of the program, highlight the positive outcomes being achieved for Aboriginal young people and connect with a broader audience across Greater Western Sydney. Listen to the audio here.
To finish the month, the team attended the official Run Club launch at Glenmore Park Public School on 28 April. Students proudly received their Run Club shirts, with KARI and the Opportunity Hub honoured to support the initiative as sponsors. Programs like Run Club play an important role in encouraging healthy lifestyles, building confidence and creating positive routines for young people through physical activity and teamwork.
The Greater Western Sydney Opportunity Hub is proudly funded by the NSW Government and continues to support Aboriginal students through education, mentoring, career development and community engagement opportunities that empower young people to thrive both in school and beyond.
Supporting Frontline Healthcare Through Aboriginal Procurement
KARI Aboriginal Procurement (KAP) is proud to be partnering with Hansen Yuncken on the delivery of the new Project-for site accommodation for Goulburn Valley Health (GVH) doctors and staff in Shepparton, Victoria.
As part of this important project, KAP will be supplying more than 200 white goods to help fit out the accommodation and ensure the new residences are fully equipped for incoming healthcare professionals.
This project is another strong example of KAP’s growing capability to support large-scale construction and accommodation projects with reliable national procurement solutions, while also creating meaningful Aboriginal economic participation through every engagement.
We are excited to work alongside Hansen Yuncken on a project that will directly support frontline medical staff and contribute to better health outcomes for the broader community.
KAP looks forward to continuing to deliver practical procurement solutions across projects that make a real difference.
Every purchasing decision has the potential to create impact.
By partnering with KARI Aboriginal Procurement, your organisation can support Aboriginal businesses, create employment opportunities and contribute to stronger communities, all through everyday procurement.
If you’re interested in working together, we’d love to hear from you.
Email kap@kari.org.au
As we move into the coming months, we look forward to continuing this momentum through upcoming programs, events and community initiatives. Every partnership, every conversation and every shared experience helps strengthen the work we do and the opportunities we create for Aboriginal children, young people and families. Thank you for being part of the journey and for continuing to support KARI’s vision for stronger communities and brighter futures.
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