About Garkazi Care

Garkazi Care is a First Nations care organisation working to support young people who are vulnerable, at risk, or who need care and support. We work alongside children, young people, families, carers and people with disability to strengthen safety, identity, independence, wellbeing and connection.

We are proudly Indigenous-led and support First Nations self-determination, community strength and positive pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families and communities.

Garkazi Care takes its name from Wagadagam and Yuin man Eli Martin, who co-founded the organisation with a group of men who became brothers through their shared commitment to caring for community and the next generation. Their vision brought together a holistic approach, social integrity, community care and cultural identity.

“Garkazi” is a Kala Lagaw Ya word referring to a man, male or person. Kala Lagaw Ya is one of the two traditional languages of the Torres Strait, the other being Meriam Mir. The name was chosen to acknowledge the four brothers who came together to seek a better way forward in the care and social-impact sector. It also reflects the responsibility that men have in supporting families, communities and future generations. Through this name, we hope to reflect the cultural, social and personal values we hold: standing up to support the most vulnerable and being proactive examples of positive change within our community.

Garkazi Care was established to provide holistic, community-oriented care that brings cultural identity together with social and emotional wellbeing. Guided by the principle that it takes a village to raise a child, Garkazi Care seeks to build pathways to safety, wellbeing, belonging and opportunity for young people who need support.

Through culturally capable practice and a Social and Emotional Wellbeing approach, Garkazi Care aims to help young people understand their identity, strengthen their wellbeing and pursue lives filled with opportunity and purpose.