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Welcome to the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations

The Federation is the Victorian state-wide body that convenes and advocates for the rights and interests of Traditional Owners while progressing wider social, economic, environmental and cultural objectives.

About Us

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land we work on as the First Peoples of this Country.

Country

Healthy Country means healthy communities. Our work recognises Traditional Owners’ rights and responsibilities to care and make decisions for Country.

Traditional Owner groups have knowledge, rights and responsibilities, stemming from 65,000 years of experience on Country. The Federation works in the following areas to embed Traditional Owner voices in management of Country.

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Community

Community wellbeing means strong culture, people and place.

The Federation’s work recognises Traditional Owner groups as authoritative decision-makers with rights and power. Our advocacy, programs and services enable Traditional Owners to get on with the business of caring for Country, culture and community.

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Impact

The Federation’s advocacy shapes the landscape in which Victorian Traditional Owner corporations do their important work.

We have put cultural fire and cultural water on the agenda for government, sought greater protections for Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, fought for a fair place in the expanding native foods and botanicals industry, championed treaty and self-determination, supported a drastic reconsideration of how our cultural heritage is approached at both state and national levels, and worked to have economic development considered as more than just small business grants.

 

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About

The Federation is the Victorian state-wide body that convenes and advocates for the rights and interests of Traditional Owner groups while progressing wider social, economic, environmental and cultural objectives.

We support the progress of agreement-making and participation in decision-making to enhance the authority of Traditional Owner Corporations on behalf of their communities.

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Resources

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There’s Vic-specific junior ranger grants!

A $6 million expansion to the Junior Rangers Program means ranger groups, schools and community organisations in parts of Victoria previously outside the programs boundaries can apply for funding for activities that engage and retain First Nations students, who may one day step into careers caring for Country.

Applications close on 19 May 2025, and the eligible areas are:

⚫ Campaspe – Shepparton – Moira 
⚫ Northcote – Preston – Whittlesea  
⚫ Geelong – Queenscliff 
⚫ Castlemaine – Kerang 

Preference will be given to local First Nations providers, including ranger groups and Traditional Owners.

LEARN MORE | https://bit.ly/4ioBxQ3

There’s Vic-specific junior ranger grants!

A $6 million expansion to the Junior Rangers Program means ranger groups, schools and community organisations in parts of Victoria previously outside the program's boundaries can apply for funding for activities that engage and retain First Nations students, who may one day step into careers caring for Country.

Applications close on 19 May 2025, and the eligible areas are:

⚫ Campaspe – Shepparton – Moira
⚫ Northcote – Preston – Whittlesea
⚫ Geelong – Queenscliff
⚫ Castlemaine – Kerang

Preference will be given to local First Nations providers, including ranger groups and Traditional Owners.

LEARN MORE |
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A pretty good day at the dingo sanctuary πŸ˜‹

Last week, we visited the dingo sanctuary in Melbournes west with our friends from Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, to see efforts to protect this culturally and ecologically significant animal from extinction.

It was such a privilege to spend time with these creatures that are so important for keeping our Country healthy and the passionate people who are making sure they survive, said Gabby.

Patting dingoes is a highlight, of course, but equally wonderful was learning about their different appearances and important role in the ecosystem as an apex predator – reinforcing our long-standing position that current wild dog management programs arent the best use of resources, and culturally significant species must be managed: holistically, in the cultural landscape, and in genuine partnership with Traditional Owners.

Thank you Mel and your team for having us!

A pretty good day at the dingo sanctuary πŸ˜‹

Last week, we visited the dingo sanctuary in Melbourne's west with our friends from Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, to see efforts to protect this culturally and ecologically significant animal from extinction.

"It was such a privilege to spend time with these creatures that are so important for keeping our Country healthy and the passionate people who are making sure they survive," said Gabby.

Patting dingoes is a highlight, of course, but equally wonderful was learning about their different appearances and important role in the ecosystem as an apex predator – reinforcing our long-standing position that current 'wild dog' management programs aren't the best use of resources, and culturally significant species must be managed: holistically, in the cultural landscape, and in genuine partnership with Traditional Owners.

Thank you Mel and your team for having us!
... See MoreSee Less

The October 2022 floods inundated Lock Island – a peaceful, 15-hectare sanctuary for wildlife and tourism in the heart of Mildura.

Floodwaters surged the wetlands, dragging debris up throughout the bush, and destroying trails and animal habitats. 

But – thanks to a grant under the Aboriginal Culture and Healing Flood Recovery Program (which we administer on behalf of Emergency Recovery Victoria), First People of the Millewa Mallee Aboriginal Corporation has transformed Lock Island.

In partnership with Mildura Regional Development, Mildura Rural City Council, Goulburn-Murray Water, DEECA, and Mallee CMA, FPMMAC has cleared debris and rubbish, remade safe and stable walking tracks, and reinvigorated native plant so animals can return.

The Trail of Lights art installation has subsequently been established on the island, and FPMMAC has plans for signage telling the stories of the area’s scar trees, and to one day return practices like cultural burning to Lock Island. 

Its always a pleasure to see an Aboriginal Culture and Healing Flood Recovery Grant project in action, and we were thrilled to have the chance to visit Mildura today. Thank you FPMMAC for having us!

The October 2022 floods inundated Lock Island – a peaceful, 15-hectare sanctuary for wildlife and tourism in the heart of Mildura.

Floodwaters surged the wetlands, dragging debris up throughout the bush, and destroying trails and animal habitats.

But – thanks to a grant under the Aboriginal Culture and Healing Flood Recovery Program (which we administer on behalf of Emergency Recovery Victoria), First People of the Millewa Mallee Aboriginal Corporation has transformed Lock Island.

In partnership with Mildura Regional Development, Mildura Rural City Council, Goulburn-Murray Water, DEECA, and Mallee CMA, FPMMAC has cleared debris and rubbish, remade safe and stable walking tracks, and reinvigorated native plant so animals can return.

The Trail of Lights art installation has subsequently been established on the island, and FPMMAC has plans for signage telling the stories of the area’s scar trees, and to one day return practices like cultural burning to Lock Island.

It's always a pleasure to see an Aboriginal Culture and Healing Flood Recovery Grant project in action, and we were thrilled to have the chance to visit Mildura today. Thank you FPMMAC for having us!
... See MoreSee Less

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