Aunty Alma Thorpe’s Gathering Place

Colorful mural on brick wall featuring a large face of a man, a flying bird, and a sunset background with silhouettes of people, in an outdoor urban setting with wooden stumps and plants in the foreground.

A safe, culturally grounded space dedicated to healing, community activism and strengthening cultural ties for First Nations community and allies.

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Colorful mural on a brick wall depicting a man's face with a sunset sky and an eagle in flight, with silhouettes of people and a sunset scene. Outdoor seating area with wooden benches and tables in front.

Our Community Space

Explore the spaces we nurture for gathering, learning, and celebration.

  • Our weekly smoking ceremonies are the spiritual heart of the Gathering Place.

    Here, we conduct regular cultural events to welcome visitors and pay respect to Elders past and present. It is a place of quiet reflection and powerful connection.

  • Hosting community events brings people together in warm, welcoming ways that strengthen community ties and celebrate shared culture; careful planning, clear communication and inclusive programming ensure everyone feels seen and safe, while partnering with local groups, Elders and volunteers nurture ownership and keeps costs manageable, and accessible venues, culturally appropriate food, childcare options and time for yarning make events memorable, meaningful and truly community-led.

  • Hosting a private function at Aunty Alma Thorpe’s Gathering Place offers a warm, welcoming space where families and communities can come together to celebrate, remember and connect. Our team works with you to tailor every detail, from catering that respects dietary needs and cultural traditions, to room setup, audio-visual support and thoughtful timing, so your event runs smoothly and comfortably. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, memorial or community meeting, we provide a respectful, relaxed atmosphere with flexible.

Book Your Next Event

Host your next meeting, workshop, or community event in one of our welcoming spaces.

All proceeds directly support our local programs and services.

Patio with outdoor furniture, umbrellas, plants, a barbecue grill, and a sheltered area under a white canopy, against a brick building and blue sky.

Our Values

Aunty Alma Thorpe’s Gathering Place honours diversity, respect, inclusion and authenticity as the heart of everything we do: we celebrate the richness of different cultures, ages and experiences, listen with humility and curiosity, make space for everyone to belong and participate, and encourage people to bring their true selves without fear of judgment. Our programs and gatherings are guided by these values: fostering safe, respectful relationships, amplifying diverse voices, and nurturing community connections that recognise and uphold cultural knowledge and lived experience. By living these principles each day, we build a place where everyone is valued, contributions are respected, and authenticity strengthens our shared wellbeing.

A woman with gray hair and a black top, wearing multiple necklaces, sitting in front of a white brick wall with a red circular sign that has a black and yellow bird illustration and text honoring Aunty Alma Thorpe, an Indigenous woman who supported and advocated for Aboriginal people in Victoria.
A painted abstract design of a red flower with yellow and orange accents on a white brick wall, with black outlines and details.
People shopping and browsing items at an indoor market or craft fair under a white tent with string lights and a large digital billboard displaying event information.

Upcoming Event

Koorie Sunday Market

Set up your stall Sun 21 June 10:00 – 15:00

Get ready for NAIDOC Week!

Expression of interest open for Dardi Winter Market

Contact Wisky: Yusuke.Akai@dardimunwurro.com.au or 0491 150 521

Rooted in culture. Growing with you, every step of the way.

We believe community gatherings should feel welcoming, not overwhelming. From cozy meeting spaces to warm hosts and shared stories, we create environments where everyone feels comfortable joining in. Helpful local knowledge, simple refreshments, and thoughtful accessibility make it easy for neighbors to connect, learn, and celebrate together. Our focus is on making every event inclusive, relaxed, and genuinely enjoyable so people leave feeling refreshed and more closely connected to their community.

We honour Culture in everything we do: listening respectfully to stories, celebrating traditions, and creating space for language, art, song and ceremony. Whether offering guidance about local cultural experiences, helping arrange visits with Elders, or simply pausing to share yarns over a cuppa, our staff connect guests to community with warmth and care. We believe real connection grows from trust and openness, so every interaction is guided by respect, curiosity, and a commitment to uphold and celebrate the living cultures that shape this place.

A group of people gathered outdoors at a community event or gathering, with a mural of a figure with outstretched arms and an eagle on the brick wall in the background, and a tent set up in the foreground.
String of yellow string lights hanging under a beige canopy or tent with metal frame.
Group of young men gathered around a small fire, tending to it outdoors on a sunny day. Some are kneeling or crouching close to the ground, with smoke rising from the fire.
People gathered outdoors for a smoking ceremony event standing in a circle.
An outdoor event space with a stage, several chairs, string lights, and a tent ceiling. There's a brick wall in the background and some plants and miscellaneous items near the stage.
A patio garden with raised wooden plant beds, patio furniture, and a mural of a galaxy on a brick wall. There are people sitting and chatting under a canopy.
An outdoor terrace area with tables and chairs, surrounded by potted plants and greenery, with a sunlit sky above. There are buildings with murals on the walls in the background.
An outdoor patio area with round tables, chairs, and one table. The background features a white and red brick wall with a colorful mural, and some plants and barrels are also visible.
An outdoor urban space with tables, umbrellas, and a mural on a building wall, under a clear blue sky.

Supported by

Logo of the Borun Group construction company.
Stylized black text signature reading "Dario Munwuro" on a plain background.
Logo for Brother to Brother First People's Men's Family Violence Referral Line, featuring a yellow circle with a silhouette of an adult and child holding hands, and the phone number 1800 435 799 in red.

Get in Touch

 
A person tending to plants on a sandy surface with smoke and fire nearby, during a smoking ceremony.