Professor Ian Anderson
Steven Delaney
Lidia Thorpe
Daphne Yarram
Trevor Pearce
Ngarra Murray
Paul Briggs OAM
Nathan Lovett-Murray
Rueben Berg
Janine Coombs
Belinda Duarte
Jody Barney
Clayton Murray-Mitchell
Stephanie Armstrong OAM
Melissa Stevens
Roland Atkinson

Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership

Supporting achievement and vision for a stronger community

Introduction

The Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership (FIL) fosters leadership, providing exceptional people with the support they need to achieve their vision for their communities.

The Fellowship invests in recognised leaders and provides opportunities to emerging leaders within Victoria’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The value of the investment in building Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership is to improve the economic as well as the social and emotional wellbeing of communities.

FIL also supports past, present and future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders who are committed to achieving positive change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians and strengthening links between all Australians.

Over the past 20 years FIL have appointed 5 Fellows, including 1 Senior Fellow, 30 Emerging Leaders, 4 Community Connection/Grassroots, 1 Leadership Bursary Award and a new initiative of an Education Grant.

Many have taken their work across the state, the country and internationally through either direct provision of work, providing expert consultation (content and academic), as well as participation in and speaking at national and international conferences.

They have also contributed to the leadership and governance of major institutions and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations; provide advice to governments; and influence philanthropy practice throughout Victoria and beyond.

Their vision and energy contribute to a better future for all Victorians, including improved health, better educational and economic participation opportunities, enhanced life skills and community connections.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership respectfully acknowledges all Traditional Custodians of the land and waterways in Victoria.  We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past, present and future.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

Everyone can play their part in stopping the spread of COVID-19 by wearing a mask when out in the community, avoid unnecessary community travel to stop sickness spreading, using good personal hygiene by washing your hands with soap and water, and using alcohol-based hand sanitisers.

According to health authorities, Victoria is in a double COVID-19 wave with the rapid spread of the JN.1 variant which has sparked a second surge of infections across the state.

We encourage everyone to regularly check the Coronavirus website as well as their COVID-19 information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities | Coronavirus Victoria

COVID-19 has seen many of our community without access to their family and other support, including face to face access to workers from Aboriginal services, leaving many feeling vulnerable and isolated.

The last few months have been hard on many in the community, and not just around COVID-19, so we encourage you to reach out when in need.  A number of services are available:

13YARN – Call 13 92 76

Yarning Safe and Strong 1800 959 563

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

Lifeline 13 11 14

 

Latest News

The Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership would like to congratulate the following Alumni on their Awards and Nominations:

Paul Briggs OAM

Paul has been awarded the Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, to social welfare through economic inclusion and reconciliation, and to sporting organisations.

Paul Briggs staying in the conversation to forge change 26 January 2024

Stephanie Armstrong

Stephanie has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and education.

We are 65,000 years of knowledge and wisdom S Armstrong 26 January 2024

AJ Williams-Tchen

AJ was one of the four nominees for Victoria for the 2024 Australian of the Year and is respected across the community for his work in mental health training, reconciliation and Aboriginal cultural mentoring programs.

VIC 2024 PROGRAM_DIGITAL_V2_0

Congratulations Paul, Stephanie and AJ.

Launch of the Dunyak Moira Project

After 2 years of working on this project with Goulburn Valley Water and many others, Burnanga Indigenous Fishing Club were able to be part of the Dunyak Moira Project Launch on 11 October 2023.

Uncle Des Morgan opened the ceremony and launch with a Welcome to Country, a few words from Club President, Corey Walker and the unveiling of the signage with Goulburn Valley Water Chairman, Mark Stone.

Well done to the Burnanga Team and all those involved!

Click on the video below of the launch or to find out more information, or read the media release: https://www.gvwater.vic.gov.au/dunyak-moira




Alumni Projects 2022 – 2023

The following is a presentation of the work of some of the Alumni over the last 12 months through the Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership: