We acknowledge the true Custodians of the land on which we work and live.  We recognise their continuing connection to country and community. We pay respect to Elders past, present and future.

Anglicare Victoria (AV) respects our First Peoples history and diversity. We recognise the impact of past and current injustices. We value, celebrate and learn from First Peoples culture and traditions, and we listen with joy and humility.

We stand for self-determination

With First Peoples children making up around thirty per cent of all children in AV’s care, we are uniquely placed to support the strengthening of future generations of our First Peoples. We honour this privileged opportunity by creating environments that foster self-determination and empowerment for young people and their communities.

We aim to work collaboratively to improve the daily lives of First Peoples children, families and communities in pursuit of justice and equality.

Connecting with culture

AV’s Senior Cultural Operations Lead, Aunty Kellie Hunter, Wurundjeri​​​​​ and Cultural Engagement Lead, Uncle Les Corlett, Wiradjuri and Gunditjmara, work with young First Peoples involved with the Buldau Yioohgen Youth Leadership Academy to help strengthen their cultural identity and awareness. They work with Program Managers and Team Leaders in a range of Out of Home Care services providing cultural advice, leadership and awareness.

Cultural support ensures that we work effectively, respectfully and sensitively with First Peoples children, young people, families and communities.

Buldau Yioohgen | First Peoples Youth Leadership Academy

Buldau Yioohgen, which means “Big Dreams” in Woiwurrung language, is AV’s First Peoples Youth Leadership Academy. The program provides a welcoming, culturally safe and supportive environment, and encourages our First Peoples youth to think big beyond their current life circumstances.

Led by AV’s Senior Cultural Operations Lead, Aunty Kellie Hunter, Wurundjeri​​​​​ and Cultural Engagement Lead, Uncle Les Corlett, Wiradjuri and Gunditjmara​​​​​​​, Buldau Yioohgen provides vulnerable young First Peopls people located in rural, regional and metropolitan Victoria with opportunities to strengthen their connection to culture. With community by their side, it then offers exposure to professional work environments that might otherwise be difficult to access.

The program brings together community, cultural and sporting groups to support young First Peoples as they strive towards their educational, employment and leadership goals. It links young people with community Elders, industry and cultural experiences with partner organisations including Tennis Australia, Tennis Victoria, Opera Australia, North Melbourne Football Club, Fire Rescue Victoria, Godolphin Stables Seymour, Carbine Stables Flemington, Victoria Police and Seven West Media.

Darrango yan-dhan | AV’s Cultural Centre

Darrango yan-dhan which means “young walking together” in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people, is AV’s cultural centre.

Darrango yan-dhan is a culturally safe place where young First Peoples from across AV can come together and connect with each other, access cultural support and advice, and meet with Elders and other respected members of the First Peoples community.

In providing a central point of cultural connection, Darrango yan-dhan empowers young First Peoples and their families to engage with culture.

Boonde-mak ballettak | AV’s Aboriginal Cultural Safety Executive Committee

Boonde-mak ballettak which means “uniting strongly together” in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people, is AV’s Aboriginal Cultural Safety Executive Committee.

AV has established this Committee as part of our efforts to strengthen an organisation-wide approach to cultural competence and safety and to ensure that there is a forum at the most senior level of the organisation for our Cultural Leads to engage effectively about strategies for enhancing cultural safety and capability across AV.

First Peoples Employee Network

Any AV employee who identifies as First Peoples is invited to join AV’s First Peoples Employee Network.

Our vision for reconciliation

AV’s vision is for every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person who uses our services or works with us to feel culturally safe and respected.

We understand and support the principle that connection to Culture, community and Country is a human right. We know that these connections are an essential part of growing up healthy and strong, and we are uniquely placed to play a part in reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in care.

We can play our part in providing integrated, holistic support for families and prevent further child removals. We can make sure that every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child, family and young person we work with has an opportunity to connect to Culture and community, and that our workforce is culturally aware.

We can ensure that respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their rights underpins our service design and delivery and every engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities we work with.

We can continue to advocate for systems change and recognise and support the leadership of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations in sector-wide reform.

We hear the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart to “walk with us in a movement of the Australian people for a better future” and respectfully accept that invitation.

AV’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2023-2025 maps out a meaningful program of work to strengthen our cultural capacity as an organisation, and through this, create much-needed change.