WISE Employment is proud to be a major partner of the Koorie Night Market, providing $71,000 funding to support two part-time Market Coordinators, through the WISE Community Investment Division.

In December 2008, over 2000 people visited the market, where 34 Indigenous artists from across Victoria had stalls and sold local Indigenous Arts and Crafts, including traditional artefacts, home wares and gifts, hand-woven baskets, photography and paintings.

The next Koorie Night Market will be held on Friday 13 February at the Northcote Town Hall.

Visitors will have the opportunity meet local Koorie stall holders, purchase traditional Indigenous arts and crafts and experience live performances of traditional dancing.

Stolen Generations Victoria will also present the documentary film ‘The Apology’ in recognition of the first anniversary of the national apology. WISE Employment’s Community Investment Manager, David Christian, said the Koorie Night Market is a wonderful initiative that showcases Indigenous talent and also provides a way for the community to work together.

“We hope that many Indigenous people start small businesses as a result of the Koorie Night Market and that it continues to enhance their social and economic participation in the community.”

Since the completion of the pilot project back in March 2008, the Darebin Council has worked to lay the foundations for the long-term sustainability of the markets. A new organisation, Koorie Night Market Incorporated, has been formed to oversee the markets.

“We now have a way forward for the Koorie Night Market. This is going to be big, not just for the local Indigenous community and for Darebin, but for the whole of Melbourne,” said Darebin Mayor and member of Darebin Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Council (DATSICC), Cr Peter Stephenson.

“The markets are also an opportunity to bring the whole community together, increase tourism to Darebin and raise the profile of Indigenous culture.”

Other project partners include Darebin Council, DATSICC, Darebin Enterprise Centre Ltd and stallholders.

Koorie Night Market
Northcote Town Hall
189 High Street, Northcote
6.00 - 9.30pm
Catch the tram 86!

Koorie Market Inc are also seeking the assistance of volunteers.
For further information, please contact Debra Salvagno on Debra.Salvagno@DAREBIN.VIC.GOV.AU