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News & Media

Amplifying Traditional Owner voices in the media, raising Traditional Owner concerns through advocacy and celebrating Traditional Owner vision through policy is at the core of our work.

We do this through publications, media and engagement.

Discussion Papers

The development of the Federation’s treaty Discussion Papers was funded by the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) to support Aboriginal Victorians with the transition to treaty.

The Federation released six papers, developed to align with the insights and questions posed during Traditional Owner treaty engagement meetings.

The discussion papers successfully stimulate ideas, discussion and debate about treaty and agreement making in Victoria.

View all Discussion Papers

Annual Reports

The Federation publishes its financial statements detailing the group’s financial performance and that of its subsidiary companies.

The accounts are prepared in accordance with Australian Accounting standards, and as a registered charity, the Federation is subject to regulation by the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission.

View all Annual Reports

Media Statements

Clean energy strategy investment respects Traditional Owners as partners and rights-holders (6 December 2024)

Traditional Owner groups welcome recommended reforms for economic self-determination (27 November 2024)

Law reform to power Indigenous economic development a welcome step towards self-determination (26 November 2024)

Traditional Owner groups welcome Treaty negotiations (21 November 2024)

Traditional Owners must be at the heart of managing culturally significant native species (25 September 2024)

Victorian Government must protect and respect native dingoes, say Traditional Owner groups (7 September 2024)

Federation celebrates Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation’s formal recognition (13 August 2024)

Victorian Opposition must end racist blame and get the facts straight on cultural heritage (29 July 2024)

Victorian Traditional Owner groups ready for cultural management of Country through increased IPAs (12 July 2024)

Aboriginal dispossession must wind up with VicForests (30 June 2024)

Traditional Owner groups welcome dedicated education funding as a step towards self-determination (31 May 2024)

Stolen water wealth must be returned to Traditional Owners through Murray-Darling Basin buybacks (20 May 2024)

Governments must restore and respect Traditional Owners’ authority for Budget pledges to be meaningful (15 May 2024)

Historic Bakaru Wayaparrangu agreement will redress past injustice and enable Traditional Owners’ prosperity (14 May 2024)

Victorian Government ministers must follow Yoorrook Justice Commission testimony with action (2 May 2024)

Victorian Government doesn’t fully understand self-determination, Yoorrook Justice Commission hears (17 April 2024)

Victorian Government must commit to Aboriginal-owned water title for Murray-Darling Basin (12 April 2024)

Declaration of the Southern Ocean offshore wind area does not respect Traditional Owner rights and responsibilities for Sea Country (18 March 2024)

Aboriginal Culture and Healing Flood Recovery Grant Program (6 March 2024)

Governments must commit to the work of Closing the Gap (7 February 2024)

View all Media Statements

Strategic Plans

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.

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. Together, our joint purpose is to facilitate and amplify a strong voice for Traditional Owners and progress our shared interests.

View all Strategic Plans

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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!
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We’re hiring! 📣

There’s a rare opportunity to join our big-thinking team dedicated to progressing Traditional Owner groups’ priorities for healthy Country.

As our new natural resources management senior advisor, you’ll contribute policy insights, strategic thinking, and solid stakeholder relationships to directly support Traditional Owner groups in their ambitions to heal and manage Country, according to their own cultural practices and self-determined priorities.

This is a full-time role (that could be four days, for the right person!), based between our Carlton office and home, with a salary ranging from $99,397 to $112,336.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply, and we’re always up for a chat about what the role involves (give us a message and we’ll pass on the right contact).

Closing 27 April! | bit.ly/4fS5cBc

We’re hiring! 📣

There’s a rare opportunity to join our big-thinking team dedicated to progressing Traditional Owner groups’ priorities for healthy Country.

As our new natural resources management senior advisor, you’ll contribute policy insights, strategic thinking, and solid stakeholder relationships to directly support Traditional Owner groups in their ambitions to heal and manage Country, according to their own cultural practices and self-determined priorities.

This is a full-time role (that could be four days, for the right person!), based between our Carlton office and home, with a salary ranging from $99,397 to $112,336.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply, and we’re always up for a chat about what the role involves (give us a message and we’ll pass on the right contact).

Closing 27 April! | bit.ly/4fS5cBc
... See MoreSee Less

The Federation doesn’t prescribe or police our grant administration – no rigid guardrails here.

Instead, we’re trusting, flexible, and ready to listen.

Sometimes that means an adjustment to a project’s scope or duration. For our pink-shirted policy and law reform advisor Gabby, that means her work days right now are deep in drafting legal documents.

Glamorous? Probably not. Tedious? Possibly. Vital? Absolutely.

Because what might just look like a blinking cursor and an attachment to review is in fact a critical part of why the grant programs we administer are flexible, trusting – and so successful.

What Gabby’s doing is formalising small changes we’ve agreed to with the Traditional Owner Corporations and Aboriginal community organisations that received grants under two programs we administer – recognising that the way the work unfolds is often different from how it’s imagined at the time of proposing a project, and we’re able to work with, not against, that need for flexibility.

This goes right to the heart of our work for Traditional Owners’ self-determination: were able to work with recipients to ensure project outcomes best meet the needs of their Country and community.

While might mean more computer time for Gabby (and less time visiting native nurseries!), but a much more effective and meaningful experience, for everyone.

The Federation doesn’t prescribe or police our grant administration – no rigid guardrails here.

Instead, we’re trusting, flexible, and ready to listen.

Sometimes that means an adjustment to a project’s scope or duration. For our pink-shirted policy and law reform advisor Gabby, that means her work days right now are deep in drafting legal documents.

Glamorous? Probably not. Tedious? Possibly. Vital? Absolutely.

Because what might just look like a blinking cursor and an attachment to review is in fact a critical part of why the grant programs we administer are flexible, trusting – and so successful.

What Gabby’s doing is formalising small changes we’ve agreed to with the Traditional Owner Corporations and Aboriginal community organisations that received grants under two programs we administer – recognising that the way the work unfolds is often different from how it’s imagined at the time of proposing a project, and we’re able to work with, not against, that need for flexibility.

This goes right to the heart of our work for Traditional Owners’ self-determination: we're able to work with recipients to ensure project outcomes best meet the needs of their Country and community.

While might mean more computer time for Gabby (and less time visiting native nurseries!), but a much more effective and meaningful experience, for everyone.
... See MoreSee Less

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