Victorian Aboriginal News

25/07/2024

"If you don't know, vote NO!" We all bore witness to that totally shameful and disgusting slogan of the anti-Voice movement and championed by the United Australia Party (a blot on the Australian political landscape!). Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation. Elder and lore man Uncle Bill Nicholson speaks out on the critical need for better education on Aboriginal culture and history.

All Australia bore witness to the obscene tagline of “If you don’t know, vote NO” that was used by anti-Voice campaigners in 2023. Uncle Bill speaks out about the immediate need for better education.

22/07/2024

Every interview I have the honour of doing is, for me, incredible. This one? Well, pretty well beyond even that. Here's a MUST listen for anyone at all who wants a greater understanding of Reconciliation. Academic, activist, executive and leader Aunty Esme Bamblett speaks candidly about what reconciliation really is...and the role of EVERY Australian.

We continue our series of interviews with Victorian Aboriginal people, with Aunty Esme Bamblett delivering a clear argument on it being the responsibility of every Australian

05/05/2024

Reconciliation from a Victorian Traditional Owner's perspective. We're kicking off a series of interviews with Victorian TOs about what reconciliation means to them. For anyone involved in reconciliation, this series will be a must! Kicking it off with Wotjobaluk woman, Aunty Janine Coombs

We commence our series of interviews with Victorian Traditional Owners about the true meaning of reconciliation with Wotjobaluk woman, Aunty Janine Coombs

29/09/2023

Episode 37 of the Victorian Aboriginal News Referendum '23 Tapes podcast is now live, featuring the high regarded and respected Elder, Uncle Andrew Morgan Jackomos.

With decades of experience with government and bureaucracy under his belt, Uncle Andrew Jackomos joins Charles to discuss the Voice to Parliament.

25/09/2023

Episode 33 of the Victorian Aboriginal News Referendum '23 Tapes podcast is now online. Listen in to Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Andrew Gardiner share his personal thoughts on a Voice to Parliament.

From sources of misinformation to Australia's standing on the international stage, Uncle Andrew Gardiner speaks about the proposed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament

10/09/2023

View the media conference in full - Victorian Aboriginal Leaders from across Victoria gather in unity to support a Yes vote at the forthcoming referendum. Marcus Stewart Rueben Berg Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc

At a joint media conference at the Aborigines Advancement League, Aboriginal leaders gathered in unity to support a Yes vote

08/09/2023

A MUST LISTEN!!! Two students - first-time voters Sienna and Katelyn - from Our Lady of Mercy College Heidelberg Olmc Heidelberg
speak with me on our podcast about the referendum, Voice and truth in political campaigning. It's the podcast episode that every politician should hear. Thank you to the amazing staff and students at OLMC Heidelberg.

Students from Our Lady of Mercy College Heidelberg join VAN's Charles Pakana to discuss the Voice and referendum

05/09/2023

CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO), Aunty Jill Gallagher AO, speaks frankly to Charles about the very real and positive health outcomes she believes will emerge for Aboriginal People as a result of a successful Yes vote for the Voice to Parliament. Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc

CEO of VACCHO, Aunty Jill Gallagher AO, talks about positive health outcomes for Aboriginal People from a Yes vote

28/08/2023

Episode 4 of the Leader Tapes - CEO of the Aborigines Advancement League and staunch advocate of Aboriginal rights Aunty Esme Bamblett shares her perspective on leadership.

From her early years spent on missions, Aunty Esme Bamblett has emerged as one of Victoria's strongest Aboriginal leaders.

17/08/2023

After five hard months on the road yarning up the Voice and referendum - and at least two more months ahead of him - Wiradjuri man, Reverend Canon Glenn Loughrey joins Victorian Aboriginal News editor Charles Pakana on the Referendum 2023 Tapes podcast to share his experiences.

Wiradjuri man Reverend Glenn Loughrey joins us to share his experiences after 5 months on the road yarning referendum and Voice.

12/08/2023

Unveiling more dis/misinformation about the Voice, this time we take to task Sky News commentator Peta Credlin's claim that the Uluru Statement from the Heart is 26 pages. Absolutely false!!!!

Disproving Peta Credlin’s claim that the Uluru Statement is 26 pages.

18/07/2023

With a lifelong drive to promote education within the Aboriginal community, Aunty Geraldine Atkinson has been instrumental, with organisations including Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. (VAEAI) and SNAICC (the national voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children), in driving meaningful change.

In this interview she shares that drive and delivers insights into her highly effective style of leadership.

One of Victoria's most effective leaders, Aunty Geraldine Atkinson speaks frankly to VAN about style of leadership and drive to promote education.

03/07/2023

At 35, Uncle Bill Nicholson became the youngest Elder on record of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung. He speaks on the VAN Leader Tapes about this focus on education and provides insightful advice for emerging leaders.

Uncle Bill Nicholson of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung speaks out about his style of leadership and passion for education.

17/06/2023

The results are in! After weeks of campaigning and voting, the new members of the First Peoples's Assembly of Victoria has been announced. First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria

After extensive statewide campaigning by candidates, the results are in for the second iteration of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria.

11/05/2023

One of this country’s foremost authorities on reconciliation, Professor Andrew Gunstone, provides important perspectives on the referendum for a First Nations Voice to Parliament. Reconciliation Victoria Reconciliation Victoria

One of this country’s foremost authorities on reconciliation, Professor Andrew Gunstone, provides important perspectives on the referendum for a First Nations Voice to Parliament.

08/05/2023

This month's eNews contains all the latest event info and news of what's happening in the reconciliation space around Victoria

08/05/2023

Commencing our revised coverage of the Victorian Treaty process with a four-minute video Q&A with Gunditjmara man, Assembly member Rueben Berg

Four minutes with Rueben Berg from the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, discussing the successes and challenges of the Assembly.

03/05/2023

We're committed to delivering interviews about the Voice and Referendum - interviews that YOU want to hear. Help us determine what those interviews should be about and to whom we should be speaking. Take just a couple of minutes to complete our online survey and be in the running to win exclusive Victorian Aboriginal News merchandise.

Take a quick survey about the Voice and 2023 Referendum and be in the running to win a Victorian Aboriginal News T-shirt and tote bag

14/04/2023

Episode 17 just released - Despite the hook on which many hang their rationale for a NO vote - the supposed absence of local and regional voices - we reveal the truth about this all-important issue. We speak about this with one of the leading Referendum spokespersons, Thomas Mayor.

Despite the hook on which many hang their rationale for a NO vote - the supposed absence of local and regional voices - we reveal the truth about this all-important issue.

09/04/2023

OK, so what do you think is going to happen when a tiny media outlet calls out the mistruths being presented by a big name commentator on a global network? Let's wait and see.

05/04/2023

In episode 15 of the Referendum ‘23 Tapes podcast, we speak to the South Australia Commissioner for Voice, DDale Agius in the wake of South Australia becoming the first state in Australia to bring into law a First Nations Voice to Parliament.


On the 26th of March, South Australia led the way with a First Nations Voice to that State’s Parliament. In this episode we speak to the SSA Commissioner for Voice, Dale Agius

02/04/2023

Let’s keep the Victorian Treaty movement going strong. Assembly 1.0 has done amazing work - many people thinking they couldn’t achieve anywhere near what they’ve managed - and have set the stage for Assembly 2.0. NOMINATIONS for candidates now open!!!! First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria

In the lead up to “Assembly 2.0”, as it is referred to internally, nominations are now open for Assembly elections. The successful candidates will find themselves negotiating a State-wide Treaty.

01/04/2023

If you think for a minute that the Voice will just suddenly appear if a Yes vote gets over the line, think again. There’s an enormous amount of work that will need to be undertaken before that happens.

If you think for a minute that the Voice will just suddenly appear if a Yes vote gets over the line, think again. There’s an enormous amount of work that will need to be undertaken before that happens.

30/03/2023

Episode 14 of the Referendum 2023 Tapes podcast is now live, featuring Marcus Stewart discussing some of the work of the First Nations Referendum Working Group. A definite must-listen!

Member of the First Nations Referendum Working Group and Taungurung man Marcus Stewart joins Charles on the Ref 23 Tapes podcast to talk about the role and efforts of the Working Group.

27/03/2023

Episode 13 of the Referendum '23 Tapes podcast - CEO of the The The Fred Hollows Foundation, Ian Wishart, discusses the 144-strong coalition of social justice organisations supporting a First Nations Voice to Parliament

CEO of the Fred Hollows Foundation, Ian Wishart, discusses the 144-strong coalition of social justice organisations supporting a First Nations Voice to Parliament

24/03/2023

Episode 11 of the Referendum '23 Tapes, featuring an interview with Leader of the National Party of Australia David Littleproud MP, advocating for greater empowerment of local First Nations communities as an option to a First Nations Voice to Parliament.

Rather than adding another layer of bureaucracy, the National Party of Australia advocates for greater empowerment of local First Nations communities as an option to a First Nations Voice to Parliament.

22/03/2023

Kate Thwaites MP, Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, speaks on proposed changes to some of the ways in which Australia runs its referendums.

Kate Thwaites, MP, Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, speaks with Charles Pakana on proposed changes to some of the ways in which Australia runs its referendums.

19/03/2023

Head of NITV, Tanya Denning Orman outlines the strategic approach to be implemented by NITV and SBS Australia for coverage of the referendum and campaigns for a First Nations Voice to Parliament.

Head of NITV, Tanya Denning Orman, discusses the SBS/NITV strategy that will guide the networks coverage of the Referendum campaign for a First Nations Voice to Parliament

14/03/2023

Commencing our series of interviews with politicians from *both* sides of the Referendum campaign, we are joined by the Federal Member for Cooper, Ged Kearney MP

Commencing our series of interviews with politicians from both sides of the Referendum campaign, we are joined by the Federal Member for Cooper, Ged Kearney, MP.

06/03/2023

Wiradjuri man, Reverend Canon Glenn Loughrey from the Anglican Church joins us on the Referendum ‘23 Tapes podcast to discuss the role of the church in promoting reliable information and the need for asking questions and joining in conversations.