Our Story

About Ngarga Warendj - Dancing Wombat

Ngarga Warendj — meaning Dancing Wombat —
is an Aboriginal-owned art and design business based in Victoria, Australia.
Founded by Kulin man Mick Harding, of the Dja Dja wurrung and Dhagung wurrung
language groups, Ngarga Warendj creates high-quality contemporary
Indigenous art, gifts, and cultural products rooted in the
traditional symbols of South-East Australia.
Every purchase directly supports an Aboriginal-owned, artist-led business.

Mick Harding — Artist & Founder

Mick Harding is a Kulin man with connections to the
Dja Dja wurrung and Dhagung wurrung language groups of Victoria.
Drawing on his Aboriginal heritage, Mick's work spans woodworking and sculpture, printmaking, giftware design, public art installations, and bespoke commissions for organisations across Australia.

Mick has been commissioned to create individual artworks for private and public clients. His art has been given to visiting dignitaries from countries around the world, such as Japan, Canada, USA and across Europe. He was commissioned by the Premier of Victoria, Dan Andrews, to make a darnuk as a gift from the State of Victoria for the birth of Princess Charlotte in 2015.  A darnuk is a traditional Aboriginal bowl used by women for carrying babies, and gathering of food, it was decorated with a shield design for protection.

In 2016, Mick completed a Masters of Fine Artswith distinction, at Federation University.

Mick's art gives contemporary form to the traditional symbols and stories of South-East Australia — a region whose visual culture is less widely known than that of Central or Northern Australia, but is equally rich, meaningful, and alive. His work challenges and expands what people understand as Aboriginal art, bringing Koorie culture to new audiences while honouring its origins with integrity.

Mick is widely respected within the Victorian Aboriginal business community. In 2021 he was recognised at the Kinaway Business Awards, and his commissions include major public institutions such as the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), corporate RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan) artwork, sporting clubs, water authorities, universities, and more.

What We Make & Do

Ngarga Warendj offers a wide range of products and services for individuals, gift buyers, and
corporate clients: Aboriginal Gifts & Homewares — Our product range includes wooden boards and homewares, art cards, jewellery, lapel pins, leather goods, beanies, drink bottles, gift boxes and
hampers, stationery, and educational resources. Every design is based on authentic Kulin Nation
symbols and created or licensed under ethical agreements directly with the artist.

Corporate Gifts & RAP Artwork — Corporate gifting is one of our specialities. We work with
businesses, government agencies, and not-for-profits to source culturally appropriate
Aboriginal gifts and create bespoke artwork for Reconciliation Action Plans,
NAIDOC Week activations,events, and workplace installations.

Commissions & Bespoke Installations — Mick and the Ngarga Warendj team work directly with
clients on custom projects — from carved public sculptures to animated welcome sequences, sporting
club guernsey designs, Acknowledgement of Country plaques and large-scale cultural installations.
Some past clients include ACMI, Victoria University, BP, Western Water, Ryman Australia,
Master Builders Victoria, the Yoorook Justice Commission, Tennis Australia,
Courts Victoria and Bunjilaka - Museums Victoria.

Why Buy from Ngarga Warendj?

Aboriginal-owned and artist-led. When you buy from Ngarga Warendj,
you are buying directly from a Kulin man whose art is grounded in living culture.

Ngarga Warendj is operated by Mick and Nicole Harding, with their two sons Mitchil and Corey,
and daughter-in-laws Emily & Shaye working in the family business. Their transition in 2020 from sole
trader to registered company, reflects sustained growth and commitment to long-term partnerships.

Ethically licensed. When Mick Harding's designs are produced in partnership with other manufacturers — like our collaboration with Alperstein Designs — formal licensing agreements are always in place to ensure his work is culturally respected and fairly compensated.

We are a signatory to the Indigenous Art Code, which sets standards for fair dealing and
cultural integrity in the Australian Indigenous art market.
Supply Nation certified. Ngarga Warendj is a certified Indigenous supplier through Supply Nation,
meaning organisations with Supplier Diversity commitments can confidently count
purchases toward their Indigenous procurement targets.

Rooted in South-East Australia. Our designs draw specifically on the visual traditions of the Kulin Nations
of Victoria and South-East Australia — a cultural heritage that is distinct, sophisticated, and too rarely represented in the mainstream art and gift market.

Our Certifications & Memberships

Supply Nation — Certified Indigenous Business

Kinaway Chamber of Commerce — Member
(peak body for Victorian Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander businesses)

Indigenous Art Code — Signatory
(ethical standards for the Indigenous art market)

Aboriginal Art Association of Australia — Member