In 2015, the NSW Government committed $20 million to establish in Western Sydney an Aboriginal Centre for Excellence to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to benefit from the investment and growth in Western Sydney.

The project was established under the working title ‘Aboriginal Centre for Excellence’ until December 2018 when it was renamed Kimberwalli, meaning ‘many stars’ in Dharug language.

Kimberwalli is a place where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can gain educational support, develop their skills, feel strong in their cultural identity, and build connections to reach their full potential.

A key focus is enabling young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Western Sydney to transition from school to further education and employment opportunities.

To be an Aboriginal Centre for Excellence in Western Sydney that delivers quality lifelong learning and cultural wellbeing services.

Kimberwalli is located on the traditional homelands of the Dharug people and works with and for more than 23,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that live in Blacktown and Penrith Local Government Areas (LGA’s) in Western Sydney.

Western Sydney has one of the largest and youngest urban Aboriginal populations in Australia, with over 50% of the population under the age of 24. This large and culturally diverse Aboriginal population is partly because of the 1960 NSW Government Housing scheme to provide public housing for Aboriginal people, with most of the housing offered in Western Sydney. The scheme resulted in many Aboriginal families from diverse cultures across NSW relocating from their traditional homelands, and/or missions and reserves to Western Sydney, and generations since have remained and contributed to the establishment of many Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and advocated for action in areas including education, health, culture, employment, and housing. Western Sydney is also home for many members and descendants of the Stolen Generation.

Our culturally diverse Aboriginal community have requested culturally inclusive, accessible, and safe facilities and programs to practice and strengthen culture, to connect with the community, engage in education support and skills training, and enhance their wellbeing. Kimberwalli was established in response to these requests and is working in partnership with our community members on innovative and positive actions to enhance each of these focus areas.

Approximately 50% of our community are under 24 years of age, which is why Kimberwalli has a particular focus on supporting young people and their families to feel strong in their culture and feel connected to their Country and community.

Evidence indicates that supporting Aboriginal youth to feel strong in their cultural identity can increase their engagement in school, their academic achievements, and their post-school aspirations – which can lead to further educational and employment outcomes and improve their quality of life and wellbeing.

Across Blacktown and Penrith LGA’s there are approximately 6,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled in 146 public schools.

• 95 Primary schools have approximately 3650 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
• 30 Secondary schools have 2090 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
• 21 Schools for Specific Purposes have 140 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Since opening, Kimberwalli has supported and/or delivered almost 1000 programs/events to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Western Sydney in partnership with local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, government, industry, and the Coalition of Peak Aboriginal Organisations. In 2022, Kimberwalli was visited at least 15,000 times. Each of these events and programs were delivered in a culturally safe and supportive environment in consultation with community.  

Kimberwalli facilities are used regularly by at least 15 partner Aboriginal community-controlled and private and public sector organisations. These organisations have long-standing and trusted relationships with the local Aboriginal community and partner with Kimberwalli to access culturally appropriate and safe environment and support the Kimberwalli focus areas of education, careers, culture, wellbeing, and community. Kimberwalli is upgrading the current infrastructure and look forward to hosting more events and extending our partnerships in the future.