Mushroom Group & Coles Extends First Nations Pathway Program, Launches 2025 Edition

The Mushroom Group and Coles have announced a significant three-year extension of their First Nations Pathway Program, continuing their commitment to supporting emerging First Nations artists across Australia.

The program, which was initially launched in 2022, has been designed to provide career-shaping experiences for up-and-coming First Nations artists through comprehensive support including one-on-one mentoring, masterclass workshops, and valuable live performance opportunities.

The announcement coincides with the official launch of the 2025 program, which welcomes acclaimed artists Nooky and Barkaa as mentors who will share their industry expertise with participants. Eight talented emerging artists from across Australia have been selected for the 2025 program, including DENNI (TAS), Drifting Clouds (Terry Guyala) (NT), Ian Buller (QLD), Loki Liddle (Selve) (GC), Nidala (NSW), Ricky Neil Jr (WA), Ruby Mae (VIC), and Sascha Astrid (VIC).

The 2025 program features new artwork by Bundjalung artist Christine Slabb, inspired by the coastal community of Fingal Head, NSW.

Mushroom Group Chief Executive Matt Gudinski expressed pride in the program’s growth, stating: “Mushroom has proudly supported and championed First Nations artists throughout our fifty-year history – it’s a deeply important part of who we are. Watching the First Nations Pathway Program grow over the years to become such a meaningful platform for artists has been incredibly rewarding.”

Coles Head of Sponsorships and Events, Carmel Horvath, added: “Hearing the artist’s songs played in stores on Coles Radio nationwide has been a real highlight and we’re thrilled to continue supporting such an impactful and inspiring initiative.”

Since its inception, the program has created significant opportunities for participating artists, including performances at major events such as the AFL Awards, NRL Indigenous Round, Essendon Football Club’s 150th Anniversary, and the Coles National Managers Conference. Participants’ original songs have featured on Coles Radio, reaching over 16 million weekly shoppers across more than 800 stores nationwide.

In a recent highlight, 2024 participants Kaybee and Birren performed at the MCG for the AFL’s Dreamtime at the ‘G match, joining established artists Briggs, Paul Kelly, Barkaa, Kobie Dee, and BIG NOTER. The performance reached an audience of over 76,000 people.

Kaybee reflected on the experience, saying: “I moved to Melbourne two years ago to pursue my dreams, so it means a lot that I get to live it. Performing for a crowd that size was truly unforgettable.”

The First Nations Pathway Program has delivered impressive results to date, including over 600 hours of mentoring, involvement from 27 professional producers, and support for 24 artists.