Murran, a place of welcome

A NEW hub for First Nations business, retail, and arts has opened in the heart of Geelong’s CBD following extensive planning and State Government support.

Geelong-based national business support organisation for First Nations people, Ngarrimili, has officially opened Murran; a multipurpose space on Wadawurrung honouring and celebrating cultural heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People located at 143-157 Malop Street.

 

 

Ngarrimili chief executive officer Bek Lasky said it took approximately two years for Murran to be constructed, culminating in a grand opening held in December with community members, traditional owners, and government representatives in attendance.

“We want this to be a place of welcome, a place that can support our First Nations businesses and entrepreneurs, but also the wider community,” Ms Lasky said.

“It could be a place for First Nations community members to work once a week, communicate business ideas with our Ngarrimili advisors available, or just use the space to exchange ideas.

“We hope Murran can be a place people naturally gravitate to for one, it’s location, and two, the variety of features the space has.”

 

 

Murran boasts a retail store showcasing authentic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander products, and a gallery space providing a platform for Indigenous artists to showcase works.

First Nations community members will have access to co-working spaces within the new hub encouraged to collaborate with other businesses and entrepreneurs.

Murran will also make the space’s meeting and conference rooms available to the wider Geelong community where local businesses can engage in business activities, workshops, and community gatherings.

“Murran brings to life the vision of Ngarrimili in a tangible and physical capacity,” Ms Lasky said.

“It will enable Ngarrimili to facilitate economic development opportunities, employment, and training.

“We are incredibly proud of playing a part of enhancing the economic participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and authentically sharing and celebrating their culture with the Greater Geelong community.”

 

 

Ms Lasky said the hub’s main objective for 2024 was to continue to grow the space and seek out new employees to help enhance the location’s operationalisation.

The state government contributed $850,000 to the project.

For more information on Murran, head to murran.com.au