Moondani Balluk means 'embrace people' in the language of the Wurundjeri people who first lived in the western region of Melbourne.

The vision of Moondani Balluk Academic Unit is to create and foster:

• a culturally safe environment that welcomes, nurtures, and recreates community, a community that is embedded in relationship to land, culture, law and Elders.
• sharing Indigenous knowledge, and translating and embedding Indigenous practices into all its work, research, and curricula.
• respect for all people within and without Moondani Balluk through mutually engaged relationships.
• a commitment to pursuing political and social justice, equity, and access to education for Indigenous people.
• accountability to Indigenous cultural values, protocols, and norms.

Enrolments

Most higher education courses at Victoria University require students to apply to the Victorian Tertiary Admission Centre (VTAC). Indigenous Australian students should check out the relevant section of the VTAC Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) online form and complete if applicable.

TAFE courses at VU can require direct entry application and Indigenous Australian students should contact our Student Support Officer for further details.

An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student Information Form is also required to be completed by prospective students and is available online at the University's Admissions Branch.

Applications for Indigenous Australian people may be assessed on an individual basis through direct application to the University after the VTAC process is complete.  In such cases, Indigenous students should seek assistance from the Indigenous Student Support Officer of Moondani Balluk Indigenous Academic Unit.

From 2007, the Bachelor of Arts (Kyinandoo) program will be available for prospective students at our St Albans Campus.  Application for the Kyinandoo course should be made via VTAC in the first instance.

VU Graduations are held every year in Melbourne in May and October.  Students must apply for an award to participate in graduation ceremonies.  The University requires students to wear the approved academic dress at graduations and Indigenous students have the option to wear and keep the VU Indigenous Stole.

Kyinandoo

We deliver a Bachelor of Arts (Kyinandoo) which incorporates Indigenous Australian and Global Indigenous Units.

Kyinandoo offers you the space to take a set of subjects specific to your career goals.

• marketing your artistic or cultural heritage skills through a tourism venture
• establishing and managing an aged care, youth, child care or community-based organisation
• managing a sport and recreation facility or establishing your own Institute of Sport for Indigenous players
• performing on the stage
• working in the UN or in global Indigenous organisations

Kyinandoo can provide pathways to all of these opportunities - and much more!  And, VU will also recognise the TAFE modules you may have completed and help you to use them as credits towards gaining your degree.

Talk to us about your course options and career aspirations. For more information email Karen Jackson at karen.jackson@vu.edu.au or Rebecca Gerrett at rebecca.gerrett@vu.edu.au.

Reconciliation

Victoria University (VU) reaffirms its commitment to maintaining a culturally diverse, tolerant and open institution, united by an overriding commitment to excellence in education and the value of academia and knowledge systems.

The University acknowledges and recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first peoples of Australia and the Kulin Nation as the traditional owners of university land.

Further information is available in our Acknowledgement Policy

Student support

Moondani Balluk Indigenous Academic Unit assists Indigenous Australian students with:

ABSTUDY, academic support - tutoring and mentoring, photocopying and computer facilities, assessments tasks, show cause presentations; employment and careers advice - work experience, job vacancies, cadetships, scholarships and study awards; social support - cultural awareness activities, drop-in centre, community organisations and events; referrals and support in housing and finance matters; enrolment and course advice; counselling and discrimination advice; and access to the Indigenous Resource Library.

Indigenous links on the web

General

ABC Indigenous Home Page
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation
Reconciliation Australia
Human Rights & Equal Opportunity Commission
Koori Web - Voices from Black Australia
Iramoo at VU

Education

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Website (NATSIEW)
Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc
Indigenous Education Statement 2009

Environment

Redreaming the Plain - Iramoo at Victoria University

Contact us

Karen Jackson, Acting Director & Indigenous Services Coordinator

Rebecca Gerrett-Magee, Indigenous Lecturer

Gary Foley, Indigenous Lecturer

Marie Brennan, Professor of Education

Raelene Clinch, Student Support Administrative Officer

Phone: +61 3 9919 2370 (reverse charge calls accepted)

Email: Moondani.Balluk@vu.edu.au