Victoria University (VU) is renewing its long-standing partnership with Footscray Community Arts (FCA), creating more student opportunities through creativity and place-based collaboration to strengthen First Nations engagement and deepen community impact across Melbourne’s west.

In 2025, the partnership delivered strong outcomes across student placements, community participation, and First Nations collaboration. FCA supported major VU initiatives including O Fest and V4U Day, facilitated placements across disciplines such as business, marketing and community development, and enabled meaningful cultural exchange through the Tarnuk-ut Baany, a six-month cultural development program based at FCA. The First Nations-led initiative supporting emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives, provided VU students with unique opportunities for cultural learning, creative development, and community connection.

VU’s Patrice O’Brien, Chief Employment and Engagement Officer, said one of the most exciting aspects of the renewal was the potential to create unique experiences for students, especially for VU’s Business and Early Childhood cohort. “We actively try and centre our students in all we do, and this is a powerful example of that principle in practice. VU has chosen to renew a partnership with an organisation that shares our commitment to prioritising workforce pathways, helping to create inclusive, accessible opportunities that set our students up for long-term success in their chosen fields.”

The renewed agreement will include expanded programs and shared initiatives designed to deliver greater impact and value via a combination of student placements, program delivery, and in-kind support.

A key initiative includes a VU Pop-Up Playwork pilot, a free weekly play space for children based at FCA. Facilitated by VU’s Early Childhood Education students, Playwork practice supports the theory that play is ‘freely chosen, personally driven and intrinsically motivated’. Over the course of the 10-week pilot, there is the opportunity for approximately 80 students to take part in placements.

Areas of impact include:

Expanded student opportunities, including increased placements and work-integrated learning across a range of disciplines
Stronger First Nations engagement, with continued support for the Tarnuk-ut Baany program and culturally meaningful student pathways
Enhanced community impact in Melbourne’s west through joint events, activations, and outreach
Greater visibility and reputation, positioning VU as a leading education and community partner

Both VU and FAC are looking forward to working more closely and creating potential new career pathways for students.

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