Winjirra Events Launches at Koori Knockout with State Funding
Winjirra Events, a cultural events company operated by the Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council, delivered the Elders Tent space at the recent Koori Knockout in Raymond Terrace. The debut marks the first operational step for the enterprise, which secured roughly $250,000 in backing from the New South Wales state government’s Aboriginal Economic Development and Business Growth Program. The state-level funding package supports regional Aboriginal businesses and organizations aiming for economic self-determination. Winjirra Events plans to expand into booking and hosting larger gatherings, participating in the catering sector, and supporting housing, education, health, and cultural initiatives across the Newcastle region.
Expanding Community Support and On-Country Experiences in Whitebridge
Operating out of the former Burwood Bowling Club site in Whitebridge, located about 10 kilometers south of the Newcastle central business district, the company intends to host on-Country experiences and community gatherings. Awabakal LALC chief executive Kumarah Kelly noted that the launch provides practical pathways for community benefit. “Through the Elders Tent and future events, Winjirra will help us create culturally grounded employment pathways, strengthen our event capability and reinvest income back into programs that benefit the Awabakal community.”
The initiative is projected to directly benefit more than 500 local Aboriginal community members by generating employment, training, and business opportunities while reinforcing cultural infrastructure.
Funding Background and Regional Economic Growth in New South Wales
The startup capital for Winjirra Events stems from a broader New South Wales government grant initiative announced in February 2025. That funding round distributed up to $4 million collectively across 17 recipient businesses throughout regional New South Wales.
The diverse cohort of grant recipients spans food and botanical breweries, skin care manufacturing, solar energy systems, horticulture and greenhouses, and event services. Winjirra’s approved corporate objectives center on hosting on-Country experiences to establish a secure economic foundation for business expansion, creating employment pathways, and delivering social support for the broader Aboriginal population across Newcastle.
At the Koori Knockout in Raymond Terrace, the company’s Elders Tent functioned as a dedicated space for elders to rest during the spring football carnival, which draws hundreds of teams from across the state.
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