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In June, we invited community members to connect with Elders and learn more in-person from some of the people closest to the Treaty process in Victoria. 

Statewide Treaty will be a formal agreement between the Victorian Government and First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. It aims to create a fairer future for all Victorians and will focus on important issues like improving health, education and justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Uncle Andrew Gardiner is a Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Traditional Owner and elected member of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. 

He encouraged attendees to grapple with the truth of how Aboriginal people have been marginalised, ‘pushed out and pushed away’ for generations throughout our history. ‘Victoria and Australia has a dark history but a brighter future’, he said. ‘We have to look at the past and learn from it…and acknowledge past atrocities [that are] absolutely factual.’

The way he puts it, negotiating now for Treaty aspirations with the Victorian Government ‘means looking 3,4 generations into the future and improving capacity for other people.’

‘It’s not about putting anybody else back. We’re travelling down the Treaty pathway together,’ he said. 

Uncle Andrew was joined on stage by Nerita Waight, CEO of Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service and elected member of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. 

Nerita provided an overview of what Treaty could involve and the responsibilities and governance of the First Peoples’ Assembly whose members are all Traditional Owners of Country chosen by their communities to represent their hopes, needs and ideas on the journey to Treaty in Victoria. 

Nerita highlighted improving justice, education and housing outcomes as imperatives for Aboriginal people in Victoria. ‘We want our Elders to live in dignity’, she said, ‘and create more opportunity for our young people - our future lawyers and doctors and engineers.’ 

Treaty offers ‘opportunities for innovation, grounded in who and what we are,’ she said. ‘It’s not just for ourselves…we want all young people growing up and learning hand-in-hand, not on opposite sides of the aisle.’

The principles of self-determination and equal footing underline the work of the Treaty Authority - the independent body overseeing Victoria’s Treaty negotiations. 

Uncle Andrew Jackomos described Victoria’s Treaty Negotiation Framework as a ‘landmark, historic document.’ 

It’s the guide book, he explained, to ‘ensure negotiations are fair and equal between parties.’

‘The success of Treaty will depend on the support of all Victorians behind the Treaty process,’ he said. ‘Learn and understand. There are no wrong questions.’  

Professor Andrew Gunstone, Co-Chair of Reconciliation Victoria, spoke to international research that shows ‘when done well, treaties lead to some amazing outcomes’. 

‘Truth-telling is about past, present and future’, he said. ‘We should acknowledge the truth has always been there - it’s also about ‘truth listening’ and ‘truth enacting.’  Non-Aboriginal people need to educate themselves…stand up and call out racism.’

Drawing around 300 community registrations, our free community talk, with a panel discussion and Q&A, was facilitated by the editor of Victorian Aboriginal News, Uncle Charles Pakana. 

Uncle Charles described it is ‘an event of peace and respect.’ Attendees also reflected on the positive atmosphere and commented that it was ‘an excellent opportunity to learn about Treaty progress from very qualified speakers.’ 

Uncles Charles’ final call to everyone attending was simply ‘Share the truth.’

Learn more about Treaty in Victoria 

Statewide Treaty will be a formal agreement between the Victorian Government and First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.

To catch up on the shared journey to Treaty in Victoria, read the Treaty explainer on the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria website.

Visit the Treaty Authority website for more information about ensuring a fair and just Treaty process for all Victorians.

To learn more about truth-telling in Victoria, visit the Yoorrook Justice Commission website. 

The latest updates from Victoria’s Statewide Treaty negotiations are available on the Victorian Government’s First Peoples - State Relations website.

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For more information about Treaty in Victoria and reconciliation more broadly, consider subscribing to these online resources: 

Working together in Boroondara

We are pleased to be one of the first councils approached by the Municipal Association of Victoria, the legislated peak body for local government in Victoria, and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria to help raise community understanding about the Treaty process and facilitate respectful conversations.

We thank and acknowledge the Aboriginal community partners that have led the way on this pilot project for Boroondara:

  • First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria
  • Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation
  • Victorian Aboriginal News
  • Murnong First Peoples Gathering Place.

We also thank Reconciliation Victoria and the Boroondara Reconciliation Network for their collaboration and support.

Boroondara Reconciliation Strategy 

You can read on online version of the Boroondara Reconciliation Strategy 2022-2026 on our website. 

To stay up to date, sign up to our mailing list

If you have questions about our Strategy, contact our Social Inclusion Policy and Project Officer, Liz O'Loughlin on (03) 9278 4693 or [email protected].