Since opening in 1981, Yappera Children’s Service Co-Operative Ltd has been providing high quality, culturally grounded and holistic health and education programs. Yappera, meaning “Belonging Place”, is a gathering, learning and wellbeing space for Aboriginal children and their parents, carers, families and community in Melbourne.

Yappera is a not-for-profit, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO). Yappera offers an education and service, as well as a range of health and wellbeing programs and services for children and families.

We’re grateful for the strong governance, leadership, passionate staff and determined community that has supported Yappera to grow into the service we are today; now with capacity to support 60 Aboriginal children and their families every weekday.

Yappera’s philosophy is that all Aboriginal children have the right and opportunity to reach their potential through access to the highest quality care and enrichment in a cultural setting which strengthens their identity, cultural resilience, health and wellbeing.

Yappera is governed by seven (7) Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Board Members who are elected by Yappera’s membership at our Annual General Meeting (AGM). Board Members are elected for a two-year term. Our current Board of Directors feature below.