Our story

Life for Koori Kids Incorporated is a registered charity and not-for-profit providing support and community for children, young people and families of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage in Redfern and its surrounding neighbourhoods. The organisation provides a range of opportunities spanning education and employment, health and wellbeing, welfare, social activities and cultural connection to a close-knit community of more than 100 people. Life for Koori Kids is volunteer-run and was founded in 2001 by Ailsa Gillett OAM.

Mission

Our aim is to build upon community and provide opportunities for Aboriginal children and their families living in inner-city Sydney, through programs in education, health, welfare, sport, arts and culture.

Objectives

To develop lifelong connection with the children in the community and support their journey into adulthood.
To support all children in the community to enter and complete high school and tertiary vocational training.
To be a network of support for families facing hardship.
To appreciate and respect Aboriginal cultural heritage in the community.

Community

Community is at the centrepoint of Life for Koori Kids. The families in our community come from lands all across the region, including Gadigal, Gamilaraay, Yuwaalaraay, Ngayimbaa and many in between. As well as being in contact regularly throughout the week, we can be found every Saturday morning for our community gathering on Gadigal land at Northcott Community Centre in Ward Park, Surry Hills.

Programs

We aim to assist the families in our community with both essential and recreational programs. Our volunteers have a diverse set of skills and their areas of expertise are channelled into programs for the community.

These include:

Education, career guidance and professional training, including school scholarships and pathways, and partnering with employers on paid internships and work experience.
Essential services including emergency assistance as well as assistance with health, wellbeing, welfare, medical, legal and housing.
Arts and cultural engagement, excursions and workshops with Bangarra Dance Theatre, the Art Gallery of NSW and Tribal Warrior amongst others.
Cultural trips including children’s visits to Uluru and mother’s retreats to the Blue Mountains.
Community gatherings including our weekly breakfast club and birthday celebrations, Easter celebrations and the annual Christmas party.
Weekend and school holidays activities.

If your organisation would like to host an activity for the group, please contact us.

People

One of Life for Koori Kids’ most important assets is the generous support of volunteers and the executive team. Each volunteer's enthusiastic and consistent commitment allows us to provide responsive, loving and flexible support to our community.

Ailsa Gilett OAM	Founder	2001
Luke de Zilva	Deputy Director & Community Liaison	2006
David Lawson	Chairperson	2018
Dr Tanya Manolios	Vice-Chairperson	2013
Rohan Chowdry	Treasurer	2001
Sally McBride	Secretary	2011
Ross Gavin	Honorary Auditor	2001
Julie Zwar	Community Liaison	2004
Mikayla Owens	Community Representative	2008
Val Latkich	Volunteer	2001
Cynthia Hickey	Community Representative	2017
Amanda Morgan	Community Representative	2018
Victoria Ngu	Activities Officer	2017
Imogen Stevens	Activities Officer	2022
Madeleine Stevens	Activities Officer	2022
Nikki Hickey	Community Representative	2023
Tanya Donovan	Community Representative	2023
Kate Lienert	Volunteer	2024
Griffyn Heels	Volunteer	2024
Victoria Brett	Volunteer	2012
Alex To	Volunteer	2011
Paola Tamberlin	Volunteer	2016
Dr Isabel Hanson	Health Officer	2009