Nairm Marr Djambana was conceived in the late 1990s by local Aboriginal Elders, dreaming of a time and place where Aboriginal people could gather in a culturally safe environment to build cultural pride, understanding and knowledge together and share the cultural wisdom with the broader community of the region. Nairm Marr Djambana was officially launched in November 2016 as a gathering place for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Frankston. Nairm Marr Djambana now has an active volunteer Committee of Management and runs a range of culturally strengthening programs and activities to meet the needs and aspirations of the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Nairm Marr Djambana’s vision and its efforts to achieve positive health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal people are guided by a ‘cultural determinants approach’ as outlined in the Korin Korin Balit-Djak Aboriginal Health, Wellbeing and Safety Strategic Plan 2017-2027. Fundamental to the way that Nairm Marr Djambana operates is the incorporation of strengths-based approaches that support self-determination; community strengthening and connection to culture and country; and build self-esteem and resilience. Everything that Nairm Marr Djambana does is underpinned by Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander spirituality, the wisdom and teachings of Elders and tradition. In late 2018, Nairm Marr Djambana was appointed as a Neighbourhood House.