Ngiwa Yarna Committee

Tribe: Barkindji/Paakantyi 

Achievements: Patsy is involved in other areas of the community, including the Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (LAECG), the Koori Courts, Umalek Balit, while also acting as Chair of the Mallee Aboriginal Government Employee Network (MAGEN).

What has the AAC done for you and why should Aboriginal people be involved in the AAC: "As a member of the Mildura Rural City Council (MRCC) Aboriginal Action Committee (AAC), I have been working to give the local Aboriginal community a voice in Council decision-making. I believe the partnership with Council is very important, as it acknowledges the ongoing Aboriginal connection to the community, its peoples and lands that it meets on.

"The AAC has played an important role in a number of projects with Council, including the development of the riverfront, the MRCC Regional Action Plan (RAP), the Reconciliation Week March, the NAIDOC Corroboree and the service for Orange Ribbon week."

Position: (LAECG) Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group

Tribe: Wiradjuri 

Achievements: Jenene is a respected member of the community, and also an active member of the AAC for the past five years. Jenene’s connection to community has given her the opportunity to bring to the AAC "a true reflection" of the local Koorie community, and how it impacts on Council decision-making regarding the future of the community. Jenene shares the view that strong partnerships with Council is important as it acknowledges the Aboriginal ongoing connection to the area.

What has the AAC done for you and why should Aboriginal people be involved in the AAC: "As an AAC member, I have supported a number of projects with Council, including the development of the riverfront, the MRCC Regional Action Plan (RAP), the Reconciliation Week march, the NAIDOC Corroboree event and the service for Ochre Ribbon week. I have been also involved in other areas of the community, including the Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (LAECG) as Chairperson, Mildura LAN, Mildura LAJAC and supported the opening of the Orange Door." 

Position: Elder

Tribe: Wemba Wemba

Achievements: Sandra is a founding member of the Mildura Rural City Council (MRCC) Aboriginal Action Committee (AAC), working to create an avenue that would give the local Koorie community a voice in Council decision-making.

What has the AAC done for you and why should Aboriginal people be involved in the AAC: "I believe the partnership with Council is important as it acknowledges the Aboriginal ongoing connection to the area. The AAC has played an important role in a number of projects with Council, including the development of the riverfront, the MRCC Regional Action Plan (RAP), the Reconciliation Week march, the NAIDOC Corroboree and the service for Orange Ribbon week. I have also been involved in other areas of the community, including the Koorie Courts, the Orange Door Advisory Committee, and the Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (LAECG), and as a Ministerial appointment to the state Victims of Crime Consultative Committee."

 

Position: Community member

Tribe: Wangkumarra/Kamilaroi

Achievements: Sharon has worked for more than 26 years in the Aboriginal Health field, while being a long-time human rights and social justice advocate. Sharon is also passionate about equality, self-determination and Aboriginal people have a voice.

What has the AAC done for you and why should Aboriginal people be involved in the AAC: "Being on the AAC enables me to have a seat at the table, and offer my cultural knowledge, professional experience, as well as lived experience to the Council, which can help with its decision-making where the Aboriginal community can be consulted and represented.

"I have been living in Mildura since 2019, and have been a member of AAC since early 2021. Policy-setting, good communication, consultation and respecting cultural lore and protocols will enable the AAC to remain strong and unified as we work together for a better and more inclusive future for Aboriginal people in the North West of Victoria." 

Position: Community member - Deputy Chair

Tribe: Bundjalung

Achievements: Nikita is a devoted mother of three. She has worked in Mildura for 13 years in various roles within the education and health settings. Nikita is passionate about her community, strength-based approaches and evaluation. She values her community connections and relationships. 

What has Ngiwa Yarna done for you and why should Aboriginal people be involved in the committee: Being a part of Ngiwa Yarna has given me the opportunity to practice thoughtful leadership. It has been a way to connect with Aboriginal Elders and change-makers to share, learn and connect. I would encourage our mob to be involved, so they too can be a part of change for our people and our communities.

Position: Community member

Tribe: Barkindji

Achievements: Peter is currently employed as the Acting Manager of Primary and Community Services at Robinvale District Health Services. He has a Bachelor in Health Science (Mental Health) and a Bachelor of Liberal Studies (Arts - Psychology - Foundations of Psychology 1 & 2) and was the 2021 Indigenous Alumni of the Year for Charles Sturt University.

What has Ngiwa Yarna done for you and why should Aboriginal people be involved in the committee: Aboriginal people need to be involved in Ngiwa Yarna to provide first-hand knowledge and experience of situations that involve and are related to our people. We need to guide and advise on decisions that affect our mob.