Community & Business
26 September, 2025
Ngoonbi celebrates 50 years
THIS year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Ngoombi Community Service Indigenous Corporation, one of Australia’s first Aboriginal-led housing cooperatives from the 1970s.
Known then as the Ngoonbi Cooperative Society Ltd it was created in January 1975, after Aboriginal people were uprooted from the Mona Mona Mission and faced a shortage of homes in the area.
Led by the Elders, and with the help and guidance of local activists Clarrie Grogan, Mick Miller and Joe McGuinness, Ngoonbi opened its first Aboriginal-owned office, Jilli Binna arts and craft shop at 36 Coondoo St, Kuranda.
In the same year, Ngoonbi bought a home at 9 Coondoo St and built the first house under the supervision of local builder John, alongside First Nations apprentices and labourers.
Over five decades, Ngoonbi has flourished into a dynamic community organisation which owns more than 40 residential and commercial properties across Kuranda and Mareeba, and operates four regional hubs in Kuranda, Mareeba, Atherton and Mt Garnet employing First Nations peoples.
Ngoonbi delivers services such as Community Housing, Aged Care & Disability Services, community programs in education, alcohol and other drugs, community and youth empowerment, sport and recreation, and Indigenous youth connection to culture in Mareeba.
To mark the anniversary, Ngoonbi will be holding a celebration at the Pullman Cairns International Hotel on Thursday, 25 September from 6pm to 9pm.
To take part in the celebration, visit Eventbrite and search “Ngoonbi 50th Anniversary Celebration.” A second celebration will also be held in Kuranda later this year.
