Indigenous partnerships
Moondani Balluk Indigenous Academic Unit works across Aboriginal, non-governmental organisations and community space to engage in respectful and equal partnerships based in the aspirations of the University-wide First Nations Action Plan. This plan outlines our commitment to Protecting Country and advancing recognition, inclusion and self-determination for First Nations Peoples.
Our community involvement
Our partnerships aim to advance the opportunities and provide voice for Aboriginal people in the west of Melbourne to actively engage in self-determination, local civic activities and a connection to VU programs.
We work closely with:
- AAV Local Aboriginal Network reference committees
- Aboriginal Wellness Foundation
- Brimbank City Council
- Department of Education Koorie Education Support Officers
- DHHS Footprints for Success Early Years Project
- Footscray Community Arts Indigenous Advisory Group
- GenWest
- Kirrip Aboriginal Corporation in Melton
- Living Museum of the West
- Marrung Regional Forum & Reference Group (Department of Education)
- VACCA Werribee and Melton Offices
- Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI)
- Victorian Aboriginal Health Service
- Wayapa Wuurrk
- Western Metropolitan Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee (Department of Justice and Community Safety; Vic)
- Western Metropolitan Regional Partnership (Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions; Vic)
- Wunggurrwil Dhurrung Centre Koling wada-ngal Committee
- Wyndham City Council.
Wunggurrwil Dhurrung Centre in Wyndham
In 2019, the Wunggurrwil Dhurrung Centre in Wyndham was opened to provide a place for the Aboriginal community to gather. The Centre includes an early years' space and the Koling wada-ngal (Walk together – Wadawurrung) space specifically for Aboriginal people.
Local cultural-strengthening programs allowed Aboriginal people to grow, connect and share cultural practices with each other. Over many years Moondani Balluk and the Wyndham City Council worked with the Wyndham Aboriginal Community Centre Committee (now named Koling wada-ngal) to plan the purpose-built Centre in Wyndham. The Centre won the highest honour in the Victorian Architecture Awards 2020 for best practice in environmentally sustainable architecture.
Significant appointments
Other highlights include executive director of Moondani Balluk, Karen Jackson, being appointed to the Victorian Aboriginal Economic and Employment Council.
Another appointment in 2019 saw Kim Kruger, Lecturer and Researcher at Moondani Balluk, of the Murroona/Djiru people, appointed to the Creative Victoria First Peoples Directions Circle to advise on the development of the state of Victoria's creative industries strategy (2020-2024).
