Commissioner shines light on reconciliation through Treaty
In Summary
- In June, the Victorian parliament passed the Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Bill 2018
- Victoria is the first Australian state or territory to pass a Treaty bill
- Swinburne’s Annual Barak-Wonga Oration is a free public event promoting wider community discussion on Indigenous issues
Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner, Jill Gallagher AO, will turn the spotlight on the state’s reconciliation process when she presents at Swinburne’s Annual Barak-Wonga Oration on 9 August.
With Victoria recently passing Australia's first Treaty bill, Jill will speak about her involvement in the process and the role community can play in supporting this work.
The Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Bill 2018 was passed in the Victorian parliament in June.The Bill establishes a framework for negotiating Treaty and is the culmination of years of consultation between Indigenous people and the Victorian government.
Swinburne’s Annual Barak-Wonga Oration is a key element of the university’s commitment to reconciliation. It is named in honour of two significant Aboriginal leaders, William Barak and Simon Wonga.
As a free public event, the Oration is designed to promote understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues in the wider community.
Swinburne’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) was last year endorsed by Reconciliation Australia at the Elevate level, the highest endorsement possible. Swinburne is the first university in Australia to achieve this milestone.
Swinburne Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Linda Kristjanson AO will also speak at the Oration, which is organised by Swinburne’s Moondani Toombadool Centre.
About the speaker
A proud Gunditjmara woman, Jill Gallagher AO is a highly respected Victorian Aboriginal leader who has dedicated her life to advocating for self-determination outcomes on behalf of the Victorian Aboriginal community.
Jill's outstanding contribution to community has been recognised with induction into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2009, awarding of the Order of Australia in 2013, and induction into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll in 2015. Jill commenced as Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner at the start of 2018.
Entry to the 2018 Barak-Wonga Oration is free, but registrations are required.