Acknowledgement of country
Victoria University supports the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation's vision for a ‘united Australia which respects this land of ours, values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and provides justice and equity for all'.
Wurundjeri Creation Story mural boards – designed by Wurundjeri Elders, Iramoo and students at Iramoo, St Albans Campus
In 'Acknowledgement of country':
On this page
Cultural warning
The Indigenous pages of the University website may contain the history and life stories of many Indigenous men and women who were affected by government policies in Australia. The information below could not have been provided without recognising their involvement and existence. In some Aboriginal communities, seeing the names of dead people may cause sadness and distress, particularly to relatives of the deceased. Aboriginal people are warned that names of dead people may be found on these pages.
Formal acknowledgement
Winnie Quagliottie - Wurundjeri tribe
'We acknowledge the Elders, families and forebears of the Boonwurrung and Wurundjeri tribes of the Kulin who were the custodians of University land for many centuries. One of the last remnants of indigenous grasslands on Kulin lands is located near Iramoo at the St Albans campus. We acknowledge that the land on which we meet was the place of age old ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal and that the Kulin people's living culture had and has a unique role in the life of this region.'
Moondani Balluk Academic Unit
Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung people's have a strong connection to their traditional lands and therefore the University.
Wurundjeri language is used to name indigenous programs. Permission has been given to Moondani Balluk, which is the VU academic unit that shares and educates on indigenous matters, by Elders to retell Kulin creation stories and to perform ceremony on University land.
The Moondani Balluk Academic Unit provides social and academic support, delivers the Bachelor of Arts (Kyinandoo) and engages with the Koori community to enable access to University programs.
Indigenous Australian study opportunities
We value the contribution made by Indigenous members of society and recognise the need to enhance the level of opportunity available to them. VU has established Moondani Balluk Academic Unit to assist Indigenous Australians wanting to apply for a course and students attending VU.
We encourage Indigenous Australians to apply for any of our courses, and support them in their studies.
Scholarship opportunities
There are various scholarships available to Indigenous applicants:
Indigenous research
The Discovery Indigenous Scheme provides funding to Administering Organisations to support research programs led by an Indigenous Australian researcher and build research capacity of higher degree research and early career researchers.
Indigenous career development
VU has developed Yannoneit, an Indigenous Employment and Career Development Strategy as part of our ongoing commitment to equality and diversity. Yannoneit Employment Strategy (YES) encourages the recruitment and career development of Indigenous Australians by providing opportunities to gain professional qualifications, work skills and experience in a wide range of jobs at VU.
Graduate recruitment & development scheme
The Victorian Public Service has extended the application period for the Aboriginal Pathway to the VPS Graduate Recruitment and Development Scheme.
Applications for the Pathway close on 9 April 2014.
VU Indigenous Participation Strategy
- Indigenous student and staff participation in Victoria University community reflects the proportion of Indigenous people in the national population
- Indigenous students achieve at least the same successful outcomes as non-Indigenous students, and
- Indigenous staff achieve at least the same career success as non- Indigenous employees of the University.
Indigenous Strategy Leadership Committee
The Vice-Chancellor leads the development and implementation of our Indigenous
Strategy.
The Indigenous Strategy Leadership Committee consists of senior leaders (the Senior Leadership Team) with direct accountability for the achievement of the Strategy, and senior representatives of the University’s Indigenous community.
The Committee includes:
- Vice-President, People and Culture
- Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Students
- Vice-President, Marketing
- Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research and Research Training
- The two Pro Vice-Chancellors (Colleges and Distinctive Specialisations)
- Vice President, Knowledge Exchange, Industry and Skills
- Director, Moondani Balluk
- At least two other Indigenous staff members nominated by the Vice-Chancellor that represent both Higher Education and VET.
Indigenous Education Statement
The VU 2013 Indigenous Education Statement is a report provided to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (now the Department of Education). The report was created as a summary of outcomes and future plans to meet ongoing responsibilities for Indigenous student achievement in higher education.
Indigenous partnerships
Our Indigenous partners include the Western Suburbs Indigenous Gathering Place Association which represents, promotes and cares for Indigenous groups.