Welcome to Charcoal Lane

In a 145 year old, bluestone building at 136 Gertrude Street, on the fringes of Melbourne CBD, sits Charcoal Lane: a vibrant and innovative restaurant that offers a unique experience of high quality modern Australian cuisine in a contemporary Aboriginal setting.

In 2006 Mission Australia successfully won an expression of interest to establish a retail or hospitality outlet at the site of Charcoal Lane. Since that time, we have worked in close partnership with the Victorian Government and the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service and now proudly deliver a high-quality restaurant with an Aboriginal Influence, complemented by a comprehensive training program.

Charcoal Lane enables Aboriginal and disadvantaged young people to gain experience in a supported, real work environment as part of an integrated program which includes personal skills development and accredited education in hospitality.

The name ‘Charcoal Lane’, documented in an Archie Roach song, (a prominent Aboriginal performer), has significant meaning as a local meeting place in Victorian Aboriginal history. Originally, Charcoal Lane was the location of a briquette factory in the Fitzroy-Collingwood area where many Aboriginal people, often after work, came together to share knowledge and socialise.

As Melbourne has embraced international cultures and celebrated them through food throughout the decades, Charcoal Lane is about reconciliation and understanding through food.

About Mission Australia

Mission Australia is one of Australia’s leading charities and community organisations that has been transforming the lives of Australians in need for 150 years. We operate more than 450 services across metropolitan, rural and regional Australia - in every state and territory and in 2007-08 assisted more than 330,000 people, including 11,000 Indigenous people.

Mission Australia’s programs are designed to inspire self-confidence and hope, and enable people to tap into their own resources and pursue a positive and independent future.

Our vision is to see a fairer Australia by enabling people in need to find pathways to a better life.

To find out more about our work around the country please visit www.missionaustralia.com.au