ABOUT US
Murrup is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation that supports First Nations children, young people and their families in four remote communities, to build and sustain the foundations they need to thrive in school and beyond.
Our place-based programs are co-designed so they meet the needs and aspirations of the communities we serve. And they are delivered by local staff who ensure cultural security and apply a local lens.
They are aligned with education systems because education really does change lives. But we know that children and young people can face barriers beyond their control that impact their attendance and participation at school and fulfilling their potential after they finish.
Our place-based programs are:
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co-designed by the community
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delivered by locally employed staff
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aligned with the education systems
They are designed to be holistic, and support young people and their families:
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in the home
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in the neighbourhood and school environment
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by navigating systems and services
vision
First Nations young people in remote areas are free to create the future of their dreams.
mission
We partner with remote First Nations communities, listen to their needs, and deliver services and programs, so young people have the freedom to self-determine their future.
values
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Integrity
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Cultural respect
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Leadership
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Collaboration
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Safety
A journey of growth …
The Cathy Freeman Foundation began in Palm Island in 2007, before expanding to Woorabinda, Galiwin’ku and Wurrumiyanga. Then, in 2022, after 15 wonderful years of as Co-Founder and Director, Cathy stepped away from and passed the baton onto the leadership team of the Chair, Professor Larissa Behrendt AO and CEO, and the Directors of the Board.
The transition to Murrup - an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation - in 2024 represents an exciting new chapter for the organisation. And we are expanding our programs to provide children and young people, and their families and communities, with holistic support.
Call us Murrup
From 1 July 2024, we will be known as 'Murrup'.
‘Murrup’ is the word for Spirit in Woi Wurrung - the language of the Wurundjeri People, who are the traditional owners of the lands where the organisation is based in Melbourne/Naarm.
We will still be Community Spirit Foundation in the background (our ABN and ACNC registration will still be under this name), but our public-facing name will represent that we are moving forward with culture at the heart of everything we do.
A fresh face
We are so proud that Kobi Sainty - a Bunurong and Palawa contemporary artist - has created this piece for Murrup.
“This artwork is called ‘Spirit of the land and sea’ and it is my story. I have told about our connection to Country and Sea, and how we live on Country and work together to maintain a healthy lifestyle, touching on all parts of our community and the connections we have as a whole group.”
