Our's is a story of collaboration through events and workshops with schools, universities, communities, organisations, festivals and individuals, to enact a vision of a more unifed and inclusive Australia.

It begins in 2007 at The Armidale School where Warren Roberts had been a student. Warren established an Aboriginal Cultural Program at the school providing students with the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history. The Program was also discussed at the Presbyterian Ladies College (PLC) in Armidale, as Warren met with their prefects to initiate a conversation there.

Later that year YARN Australia was officially founded at the University of New South Wales with the goal of uniting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians through workshops and events held within safe and respectful spaces. Initially these spaces were focused in universities, but they have since expanded throughout the community, and across the continent.

Below timeline is a small glimpse of our journey thus far...

2007

• YARN Australia Founded at the University of New South Wales by Warren Roberts and group of UNSW Students

2008

• YARN First Logo Designed by Nikita Ridgway Boss Lady Designs of Sydney

2009

• YARN Group established at the University of La Trobe by Gordon Franklin

2010

• YARN Group established at the Queensland University of Technology by Laura-Jane Williams

2011

• YARN Australia Founder Warren Roberts selected to be part of the Young Social Pioneer Program in Melbourne at the Foundations for Young Australians

2012

• YARN Group established at the University of Canberra by Warren Roberts

2012

• Kevin Rudd becomes Patron of YARN Australia

• Endorsed by Reconciliation Australia

• Second Logo Designed by Mitchell Barwick from Artefact Atelier of Newcastle

2013

• Official website launched at the University of New South Wales at the Round House

• First official promotional video released

• Official T-Shirts Printed by Darkies Designs in Canberra

• 1st National Program Managers Training Conference held at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern attended by Indigenous students from University of NSW, University of LaTrobe, University of Sydney and Southern Cross University.

• Our Founder Warren Roberts National Reconciliation Week Guest Speaker at the AusAID in Canberra ACT

• Our first Official NAIDOC Week Poster designed by Nakita Ridgeway Boss Lady Designs.

• Partnership Event in Partnership with 98.9FM Brisbane for Our Theme Song launched at 98.9FM in Brisbane hosted by Karen Dorante. Theme song collaborating artists Luana Pitt Mirror Child, David Cook AKA Music, and Young Nooky.

• Partnership Scarves Launch Hand Made by organisation Seven Women from Nepal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Colours launched at the Parliament of NSW

• Partnership Event with the Hip Hop Dance Crew the Superhoodz for a Flash Mob in collaboration by Melbourne Crown Entertainment.

• YARN Group established at the Southern Cross University at the Gold Coast Campus

• YARN Group established at the Australian National University by Jose well supported by International Students on campus

2014

• 2nd Annual National Program Managers Training Conference held at the University of Sydney hosted by the USYD Student Representative Council

• YARN Group established at University of Sydney by Zachary Wone

• YARN Group established at University of Melbourne by Levi Mckenzie

• YARN Group continued at University of New South Wales by Anthony O’Rourke

• YARN Group continued at the Southern Cross University by Eddie Mercy

• Founder Warren Roberts invited by Lockie Cooke to attend the ICEA Classic in Perth at Cottesloe Beach with the intensions of establishing a partnership

• Yarning Circle hosted by Founder Warren Roberts at Bondi Beach Indigenous Students from University of Sydney, University of New South Wales, and the University of Tasmania in attendance.

2015

• 3rd Annual National Program Managers Training Conference held at the University of Sydney hosted by the USYD Student Representative Council

• Partnership Established with Sixty Thousand

• Partnership Event with Sixty Thousand and the New South Wales Reconciliation Council hosted at 107 Projects in Redfern

• Culture & Conversation events launches

• Partnership Campaign with the Sam Lockwood from the Jezabels for the WithGoodesy T-Shirt Campaign for Adam Goodes.

• Partnership Established with Vanlife

• Yarning Circle with Vanlife at their Gathering in Crescent Head Mid Noth Coast NSW

• Workshop with Lost Paradise Music Festival on Darkinjung Country at Glenworth Valley 30th December

• Partnership Event with the Captain Cook Hotel in Paddington to host Roof Top Yarn and Live Band Music of Aboriginal Singer Songwriters and Bands including the Green Hand Band, and the Black Turtles.

2016

• Partnership with Koori Radio for a Youth Tent in collaboration with the Glebe Tree House and Aunty Kathryn Dodd Farrawell for Yabun Festival in Victoria Park on 26 January

• First Film night held at 107 Projects showcasing film Black Panther Woman Aunty Marlene Cummins on 23rd March

• Partnership Event with Vanlife with a Yarning Circle at Vanlife Gathering at Seals Rock on 9th April

• Partnership Event with Redfern Community Centre to host official 1st Mabo Day at the City of Sydney on 3rd June

• Partnership with the Sydney Latino Film Festival to host 1st Yarning Circle at Pachamama Festival in Marrickville 24th-25th June

• Blackfella-Whitefella Live Bands and Songwriters Night in Partnership with Captain Cook Hotel in Paddington on 16th July

• Partnership Event with Vanlife for a Yarning Circle at Vanlife Gathering in Bellbrook on 2nd-4th September

• Partnership Event with Our Music at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music on 15th October

• Partnership Event with UNSW Indigenous Society theme 50th Anniversary of the Gurindji Wave Hill Walk Off 20th October

• Partnership Event with UNSW Indigenous Society theme of Culture & Language 28th October

• Partnership Event with the Sydney College of the Arts theme Culture, Conversation & the Arts 23rd November

• Partnership Event with NAISDA for their 40th Anniversary After Party at Captain Cook Hotel 24th November

2017

• Partnership Event with Amnesty International theme Culture & Conversation at Captain Cook Hotel Special Guest Performance by Jamie from Didgamtix and Prabu on the Instrument the Hung, Guest Speakers Uncle Graham Moonie, Lydnsay Urhart, Preston Peachey, Aunty Katheryn Dodd Farrawell, Didgeridoo Performance by Josh Staines and Smoking Ceremony by Aunty Kathy Slatter 21st January

• Partnership Peace Program with the Peace Education Program of the Prem Rowat Foundation Facilitated by Helen Forbes 2nd Feb to 6th April

• Partnership Event with Engineers Without Boarders theme Culture, Conversation & the Environment Special Guest Speaker Aunty Barbra Kealey 29th March

• Partnership Event One Gathering with International Guest Kuauhtli Vaquez Native American Chief of the Mexican Nahauti Tradition with attendance of Aboriginal Elders including Welcome to Country by Aunty Barbra Kealey held in Bondi 4th April

• Guest Speaker Founder Warren Roberts with the Randwick Amnesty International Group in Waverley 19th April

• Partnership Event with Redfern Community Centre to host the 2nd Mabo Day at the City of Sydney on 3rd June

• Partnership with the Sydney Latino Film Festival to host 2nd Yarning Circle at Pachamama Festival in Marrickville 24th-25th June

• Workshop with the Northern Beaches Christian School theme Culture & Storytelling 25th August

• Partnership Established with Merring Studio Northcote as avenue to host our 1st Melbourne Events

• Partnership Launch Event with Merring Studio in Northcote to Launch our Melbourne events Special Guest Performance by John Parsons, Guest Speakers Aboriginal Artists Maree Clarke, Kent Morris, Katie West. Also Uncle Jack Charles, Renee Sleigh and Aunty Kerri Hunt, Short Film Stone by Charlie Ford, and Music Videos by Desert Pea Media 25th October

• Film Night in Partnership with City of Sydney Redfern Community Centre Screening Occupation: Native 21st November

 2018

• Partnership Event with Merring Studio in Northcote to Launch our Melbourne events Acknowledgement of Country by Uncle Gordon Franklin, Special Guest Performance by Luana Pitt Mirror Child & John Parsons, Guest Aboriginal Artists Speakers 25th February

• First Event Promo Video created for Events in Melbourne by Merring Studio February

• Partnership Event with University of Sydney for NAIDOC Theme Because of Her We Can, Celebrating the Story of The Quinlan Sisters. Welcome to Country by Ann Weldon on behalf of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, an Address by YARN Australia Founder Warren Roberts sharing his story of Aunty Elva Taylor, and Aunty Patricia Dixon, Special Guest Performance by Luana Pitt Mirror Child, and Special Cultural and Music Performance by Matt Doyle & Kevin Hunt University of Sydney Conservatorium of Music Students, Guest Speakers included Tim Ayres, City of Sydney Labor Councillor Linda Scott and President of Local Government NSW, Waverley Greens Councillor Dominic Wy Kanak, Family Friend Trish Amichi, and Bernard & Helen Beormer 25th July

• Partnership with Merring Studio theme Don’t Make History a Mystery in Northcote Special Guest Singing Performance by Dani Sib, Guest Speakers by Aboriginal Artists This Mob, Guest Speakers Aunty Lena Quinlan, Uncle Gordan Franklin, and Clint Hansen 26th August

• Partnership Event with Addison Road Community Centre and The Growing Trend theme Culture & Conversation held in Marrickville Special Guest Performance by Luana Pitt Mirror Child, and Guest Speaker Jo-Ann from Goanna Hut Catering, Workshop by Nick Farrer Growing Trend Founder, and Cultural Performance by Jessie Currie Nulungu Dreaming 5th October

• Film Night Event Partnership with Addison Road Community Centre screening the Documentary 88 Guest Speakers Aunty Ann Weldon, Uncle Graham Moonie and Acknowledgement of Country by Uncle Dave Bell 7th December

• Partnership Established with Transition Bondi to host one event a year in Bondi

• Partnership Established with Newtown Neighbourhood Centre as a venue to host our events & workshops 7th December

2019

• Partnership Event with Sydney Festival Theme The Vigil held at Barangaroo, Special Guest Performance by Luana Pitt Mirror Child, Guest Speakers Aunty Agnes Ware, Aunty Kathryn Dodd Farrawell, Uncle Vic Simms, and Shanell Dargan 25th January

• Partnership Event with the Marrickville Greek Atlas Community & Cultural Centre for International Women’s Day Special Guest Performance by Luana Pitt Mirror Child, Guest Speaker & Welcome to Country by Yvonne Weldon and an Address by Founder of YARN Australia Warren Roberts 10th March

• Partnership Event with Merring Studios in Northcote Melbourne Showcase Special Guest Musical Performance by Allara Briggs, Guest Speaker Aunty 31st March

• Partnership Workshop with The Weekly Service & The Nest Coworking Space in Thornbury Guest Speaker & Acknowledgement of Country by Uncle Gordon Franklin 1st June

• Partnership Event with Redfern Community Centre City of Sydney & Sacred Tree Ministries Glebe to host Mabo Day Special Guest Singing Performance by Luana Pitt Mirror Child, Guest Speaker by Uncle Ben Harry, Cultural Performance by Albert David & Team of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Dancers 3rd June

• Yarning Circle at Sydney Latino Film Festival Pachamama theme Language is Culture at Addison Road Picture House, Special Guest Performance by Luana Pitt Mirror Child 22nd June

• Partnership Event with University of Sydney Environment Institute & The Food Lab Theme Inclusive Food Community NAIDOC Week Special Guest Performance by Luana Pitt Mirror Child, Guest Speakers Aunty Agnes Ware, and Brendon Keiran. Also Cultural Performance and Smoking Ceremony by Jessie Currie from Nulungu Dreaming, Catering by USU in collaboration with local Aunties: Aunty Jennifer Quinlan, Judith Quinlan, Catherine Jackson and Aunty Gina Sheppard 8th July

• Partnership Established with the Foundations for Young Australians as a venue to host our Melbourne Events & Workshops August

• Partnership Event with Addison Road Community Centre theme Culture & Conversation held in Marrickville Special Guest Singing Performance by Krista Pav 6th September

• Yarning Circle at Seaside Scavenge Redfern Park with Special Guest Performance by Uncle Charlie Trindall 21st September

• Partnership Event with Foundations for Young Australians theme Melbourne Showcase Special Guest Singing Performance by Carrisa Watts and Lisa Mitchell, and Guest Speakers Levi Mckenzie, and Christopher Jakobi sharing their stories 10th November

• Partnership Event with Transition Bondi at Waverley Margaret Whitlam Centre Special Guest Singing Performer and Storyteller Uncle Charlie Trindall 21st November

2020

• Partnership Event with The Nest Creative Space Waterloo theme Always Was, Always. DJ Music Performed by Tomkinson, Special Guest Performance by Uncle Charlie Trindall, Guest Speaker Aboriginal Artist Aunty Linda Jackson, Bridget Cama, and Phillip Obah, also Singer Song Writer Performance by Leeroy Lee & Andy Golledge. Event held from 12pm-3pm Sunday 19th January

• Our 1st Online Event Mabo Day was held via Zoom Sponsored by WSP. Opening Cultural Performance by Andrew Shilling and Special Cultural Performance by the Wagalgau Kaiin Thithui is a Community Dance Group from St.Paul's (Wug Village) Moa Island in the Torres Strait. Kaiin Thithui means a New Star which is for our emerging Generation where knowledge and cultural practices are passed down from Generations. Over 70 People attended via Zoom from across Australia for the online event at 6:30pm-9pm on 3rd June 2020.