Submissions Library

Dr Katrina Kell, a researcher, author and fourth-generation matrilineal descendant of Captain James Liddell, who brought Edward Henty to Gunditjmara Country in November 1834 on board ‘the Thistle’, leading to the first permanent European settlement in what would become the State of Victoria. This submission is part of her evidence presented at Yoorrooks Descendants Day hearing.

Elizabeth Balderstone is the current owner of a property in Gippsland on which the ‘Warrigal Creek’ massacre occurred in 1843. This submission is part of her evidence presented at Yoorrooks Descendants Day hearing.

Lindsay Hammond shares his journey of discovering his Aboriginal heritage and his family’s history. Lindsay emphasises that the government needs to start listening to and working with Aboriginal people to fix issues, and highlights the importance of white Australia being educated about Aboriginal culture and history.

Chenile Chandler is a proud Wurundjeri woman of the Kulin Nations. In this submission, Chenile reflects on the impact of the Voice referendum and treaty, while highlighting the importance of community strength and the need for systemic change.

This submission is from a Wawula and Kuwarra person living on Djarra Country, they discuss what it is like to live off-country.

In this submission, a proud Yorta Yorta, Wurundjeri, and Gunditjmara man discusses his practice of creating traditional weapons and tools over the past 15 years, and how they adhere to cultural protocols. Despite following these cultural protocols and seeking permissions, they worry about legal repercussions, even though the Vic Human Rights Charter indicates Aboriginal people have a right to practice their culture.

In this submission, Charles Jackson aims to bring to light the presence of past Gulidjan peoples buried at Warncoort Cemetery, including its connection to the Bunting Dale Mission and the Indigenous history of the Colac Gulidjan tribe.

The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) is the peak body for Aboriginal health and wellbeing in Victoria, with 33 Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations as Members. VACCHO Members support over 25,000 Aboriginal people in Victoria, and combined are the largest employers of Aboriginal people in the state.

The submission focuses on the following themes:

• The current political structure and mechanisms for political representation within Victoria and Aboriginal Victoria’s absence from political life
• Opportunities for and barriers to Aboriginal engagement with political parties and Parliament within Victoria with a particular focus on:
  • The political influence on social and emotional wellbeing of First Peoples
  • Lack of resources as a barrier to accessing the political system
• VACCHO’s experience and progress in political advocacy including our experience engaging in Victorians Governance Forums and key barriers to self-determination such as the convention of Cabinet-in-confidence

Ngaweeyan Maar-oo, meaning “Voice of and from the people” in Gunditjmara dialect, is the Victorian Government’s implementation partner and shared-decision making body under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (National Agreement).

“This submission provides a critical analysis of barriers to political participation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria and presents targeted recommendations to address these challenges. This submission draws on extensive evidence to examine the barriers to political participation and how they contribute to the underrepresentation and disenfranchisement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”