Wunman Njinde to all, as I write the last chamber report for this year as the South East elected member, I am reflecting on the journey of Treaty over the past seven years and the amazing work and contribution that so many have contributed to get us to this place in time. Since the Bill passed in the Victorian parliament last year, we now have the first treaty signed, recognizing us as the first peoples of this country our rights to self-determine our own future & acknowledging that sovereignty has never been ceded. Highlighting how First Nation peoples can be part of the solutions, leading to better outcomes for our communities.

This approach is strength-based, not deficit-based, our people are the experts with the knowledge and skills we need to contribute to practical outcomes that will positively impact our grass roots communities.

Some of the key things that we have been able to be negotiated in this first Statewide treaty is the establishment of a permanent representative body to ensure our communities are properly represented called Gellung Warl, a Gunnai/Kurnai language name meaning“ Tip of The Spear.”

This body will be set up to negotiate and implement future Statewide treaties under the Treaty Act. Recently nominations for election were announced for Victorian First Nation Traditional owners to nominate their interest to be a representative of the new statutory body which will continue to advocate for our needs and deliver on treaty.

There are also other arms under the new statutory body that will focus on truth-telling and healing called Nyerna Yoorrook Telkuna, a Wamba Wemba language word meaning “to sit, to listen, to hear, to remember, to, cure, to heal” continuing the work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, advocating to actions of the recommendations from the Yoorrook report. Another arm of Gellung Warl that you will be hearing about is the outcomes and justice commission, called Nginma Ngainga Wara, a Wadi Wadi language name meaning “you will do” the mechanism set up under the Treaty Act that gives us the power as First peoples to hold the government accountable, including holding public hearings to question ministers and assess the delivery of services to our First Peoples in Victoria.

The first treaty also includes the first people’s infrastructure fund, naming important places in our languages, teaching the true history in our schools, and developing a first people’s Institute to build knowledge, skills, and leadership among our people. All of which will support our future leaders in continuing the work of negotiating state treaties covering areas like health, education, housing, justice, caring for country and much more. These treaties will support and strengthen traditional owner treaties that cover their communities and country, reflecting their local priorities. This is a treaty for generations, and we will see it rolled out and start to be implemented over many years.

We are currently in the transition and preparatory phase of work for Gelling Warl since the treaty was passed in the upper house last year, so the work is still going strong. Members of the first people’s assembly have been working hard in the background, doing a lot of the preparatory work needed to transition from the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria to the new statutory body.

This work is so important and critical to supporting the next iteration to negotiate treaties within Victoria, as it will help the new statutory body hit the ground running with the passover of knowledge from current assembly members to the new members, sharing their experience on this journey to treaty and the internal structures set up to help with the operations & resources needed to assist in treaty negotiation.

Cultural accent celebrations:

We also celebrated our cultural ascent at the end of last year, which was a chance for all of us from across the State to gather and celebrate this momentous time and achievement in history! It was held in the morning at the Aboriginal Advancement League, with over 100 cultural dances, Community members, Elders and internation First Nations Guests. Showcasing our culture and talent of our Victorian Artist and performers. Each assembly member added their handprint in ochre on a kangaroo skin cloak, which was a pretty special moment that I’ll always remember.

Then, we moved to John Cain Arena, where the co-chairs and premier Jacinta Allen added their handprints to the Treaty Cloak to mark this special historic occasion followed by cultural ceremony and another huge line up of First Nations artists and performers enjoyed by all. I was so honored to be part of it creating the Cultural Assent Item with my fellow Assembly member Levi Powers who came up with the concept design and the making of the cloak, an important contribution to history that we’ll all remember for many years to come.

Engagement activities and events have been happening since and more planned in the South East Region through our deadly engagement team designed to bring mob together and keep you in the loop about what’s next including information about treaty elections, how to nominate and vote and how to update your enrolment information. There are also Treaty Possum skin cloak workshops being run to give community members the chance to contribute to pelts that will be part of two cloaks that will be presented to the new elected members that will carry on the work through Gellung Warl. Keep an eye out on our FPAV website, South East Facebook page or contact our Deadly SE engagement team in Morwell for more information.

Other work that I have been involved in over the past few years is the Youth Voice development and implementing an engagement plan which kicked off last year. Jordan Edwards and I have had the role of co-convening this space setting the foundation work to create a future youth representative model. This model will be co-designed by young people all over the state and will become a key part of the new body that’ll be negotiating Treaty within the State.

During the listening phase of the youth voice engagement plan, surveys were launched and promoted through youth networks including VACSAL Statewide Jnr Carnivals. Some of the main things captured through this work were that young people were pretty clear that future representation should give them real power, build strong relationships and provide pathways to learn and lead in a safe, culturally supportive environments. They want to hold these spaces to be active and be at the center of all decisions for future treaties. Contribute to conversations with the government that can lead to positive changes in systems that affect their lives.

In December Last year and February of this year four mini online workshops for age groups 12-17yrs and 18 -28 yrs were run to capture younger people’s voices, aspirations, and direction for the next phase of Co-designing the Youth Voice Model. From these forums and surveys, we are developing a youth-friendly report that will share insights that we have learnt during this listening phase of the youth voice engagement plan. At the end of last year, the First Peoples Assembly announced a youth Leadership Program EOI which had a deadly uptake of applications from across the state. This program will roll out over the next few months and will engage young leaders in mentoring, hands-on experiences, and education in governance and what’s involved in future Treaty making. It’s fantastic to see such a diverse group of young leaders from across the State stepping up for this program, the first of many more to come in the near future to support young people in this space.

Included in the transition work of the Youth Voice a youth-targeted election campaign video and materials designed to encourage younger people to nominate for assembly members will be released soon. Work has also been working on developing and finalizing a handover to the next Youth Voice Conveners that will take on the portfolio and continue this work. This will include recommendations from the past four years, such as the engagement plan, communications plan, desktop toolkit, youth voice-friendly report, and youth stakeholder database.

The goal is to further develop the youth voice model to ensure the continued participation, leadership development and education of young people Establishing a permanent mechanism for young people to be involved in the work of Gellung Warl. It’s been a real pleasure and privilege to support the work of establishing a youth voice as part of the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria. I want to thank our Youth Coordinator, Hope, and FPAV staff for all their support and hard work in navigating this space & supporting the work needed to establish a YV. I also want to acknowledge the work and leadership of my Co-convener, Jordan Edwards, who has been instrumental in raising this at the Statewide Chamber level to deliver this body of work raising the importance of elevating young people’s voices being heard in this process. Creating spaces for young people to be engaged and participate in all future decision-making and negotiations that will affect the next generation. A true young cultural leader who has inspired many around the state, including myself, thanks Jordy and everyone for your historical contribution in this space. I’m looking forward to seeing the progress and future model co-designed “by young people for young people.”

As mentioned above Treaty elections were officially announced on 16 February, which is a great opportunity for Traditional Owners across Victoria to nominate someone in their region to represent them. You can do this by being a community-elected member, or by being elected in a Traditional Owner reserve seat. Nominations close on 2 March 2026, Voting opens on the 21^{st of} March – 12^th April 2026. I’m excited to let you know that I’m running again for election into the new Gelling Warl Body, so I can be part of the implementation and next steps to achieving practical outcomes for our people.

Looking back on the last seven years, it’s been so deadly and a huge learning curve, sometimes the nerves and anxiety at high levels not knowing what was coming next as this is the first of its kind in the Country. But to be apart of projects like developing the Treaty Framework, supporting the stand up of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, The Treaty Authority, The Self Determination Fund, witnessing the development of the Elders Voice Standing Group and developing more pathways for TO reserve seat members to ensure inclusiveness of all clans being equally represented . From contributing to the negotiation brief for our first Treaty to watching the debates in Parliament and hearing the words that the bill has passed without any amendments. Those moments will always stay with me that I have been honored to be present for.

These are just some of the powerful moments that I can reflect on over this treaty journey. I want to thank all the communities that voted for me in the last two terms to represent our region’s interests and aspirations over the past seven years. I’m always honored and privileged to walk alongside my community and each and every Assembly member that makes up the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria. You come from all sorts of backgrounds, with different life experiences and leadership styles in your areas of expertise. I’m thankful for the knowledge and experience you’ve shared with me over this journey, which has helped strengthen our representation on this statewide level and political platform. Most importantly I want to thank and acknowledge Ours South East elected members over the 2 terms in Troy McDonald, Peter Hood, Kaylene Williamson, Brian Stevens and all our community members, elders, young people, and allies who have been part of many yarns and have helped shape this first Treaty. We wouldn’t’t have this treaty without you and the many strong leaders and giants who walked before us. It’s been a whirlwind of a journey with many emotions felt along the way, but we’re finally here in the Treaty era as we come to the end of the second term of the Assembly. Theres still lots of work to be done and I’m excited about what the future holds.

Yarrabee Alice Pepper

Gunnai, Yorta Yorta, Mutti Mutti, Gundutjmara, Arrernte

Member update not submitted.

Member update not submitted.

Alice Pepper Chamber Report March 2025
Gunnai, Gunditjmara, Yorta Yorta, Mutti Mutti, Arrernte
South East Elected Assembly Member
Assembly Council Member
Youth Voice Convener

Wunman Njinde all, Since the last Assembly Chamber there have been lots happening in the treaty space. I have recently taken up the role full time to fulfill my role and obligation as a member of the assembly. We are moving into exciting times with Treaty negotiations underway since November last year. The second & 3rd rounds of Statewide Treaty Gatherings, Traditional Owner Forums and ACCO Forums held in February this year seen good conversations & engagement from mob across the state. A lot of strategic direction given to shape the way forward. Conversations around Treaty negotiations, inclusiveness and working together. Drawing on the experience and expertise of our ACCO’s TO’s, Peak Bodies & Advocacy Groups having more of a strength-based approach to achieve Statewide treaties as a collective in all aspects that are affecting our people.

Through the frameworks set up through the assembly in Assembly 1.0 we are seeing more TO groups access the Additional Pathway applications to pursue the pathways to traditional owner reserve seats on the assembly and applications being granted through Self Determination Funds to support groups to mobilise and become treaty ready. There is still a lot of work to do but it is exciting to see that we are at this point. We are sitting at the table elevating the voices, the hard work and activism that our elders and old people have done to get us to this point, so I want to acknowledge them as well and everybody on this journey and what you all contribute.

Meetings (attended)

• Assembly Chamber Meeting (1):
• Fortnightly Youth Voice planning meetings (5)
• Assembly Council Meetings including out of session meetings (3)
• Cultural Element Meetings (3)
• Treaty Proposal Workshops (3)
• Treaty Pre-amble Workshop (1)

YURPA & TREATY Committee Meetings (as per attached tables)

Monthly South East Member Meetings (2): South East Assembly members continue to have regular monthly planning meetings with Assembly staff members to strategically plan and implement our South East Engagement Plan.

2 meetings have been held since January Assembly Chamber with other planning meetings taking place for the Treaty Day Out event and also in preparation for the 3rd Assembly chambers to be held on Gunai/Kurnai (Traralgon)Country. The 3-day Assembly will include an opportunity to visit on country to Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place followed by a Community Dinner held in Moe.

Treaty Day out Planning Meetings (10+): Treaty Day Out on Gunnai/Kurnai country was a huge success with a record number attending the day even tho the weather was a bit wet that didn’t stop everyone coming out for a huge gathering that was much needed on country. Planning for such a huge event is such a huge job that starts about a year in advance. SE Assembly members worked closely with the Engagement staff who did an amazing job organising the event that was well attended and received by all community that came from far and wide to attend. An increase in enrollments from the region was also a positive that came out of the event as this means we can communicate to more mob in the region with updates about Treaty. Shout out to everybody involved in organising the event from the staff to all the beautiful performers and artists you did an amazing job which is much appreciated by our mobs.

Statewide Engagements

• Treaty Day Out Morwell – Falcons Soccer Club 8th Feb
• Statewide ACCO Forum – Novotel Preston 19th Feb
• Melbourne Art Fair “Arts Culture & Treaty Panel” – Melbourne Exhibition Centre 21st Feb
• Statewide Traditional Owner Forum – Naarm Convention Centre 27th Feb
• Statewide Treaty Forum – MCG Naarm 28th Feb – 1st March

Koori Mail coverage of TDO Morwell

Monthly SE Member Led Engagement Sessions

Taking on board feedback from Elders and Community about being properly informed and transparent with information around negotiations.

Monthly Member led engagement sessions are underway in the South East.

In collaboration and support from local ACCOs in the region, we have coordinated planned monthly Treaty Update Sessions.

This is an opportunity for community and staff to come and get regular updates in person on the current work being undertaken by the Assembly to progress Treaty in Victoria. It’s also an opportunity to ask any questions around Treaty, sign up if not already and help shape the future Treaty forums and community engagement activities/events to further inform and include all our mob in the process towards Treaty.

Collaborating with local ACCOs allows greater reach to their members and promotes us working together to inform the mob.

The dates locked in so far over the next few months are:

(GEGAC) Gippsland & East Gippsland Aboriginal Corporation
37-53 Dalmahoy Street, Bairnsdale

• 11th March
• 8th April
• 6th May
• 10th June
• 8th July NAIDOC Week

(LEAHA) Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association
18-28 Jemmeson Street, Lakes Entrance

• 19th March Treaty update at Community Meeting
• 7th April
• 5th May
• 9th June
• 7th July NAIDOC Week

(LTAT) Lake Tyers Aboriginal Trust

• Mon 24th March 12-1pm
• Mon 21st April 12-1pm
• Mon 19th May 12-1pm
• Mon 16 June 12-1pm
• NAIDOC Week

(GLaWAC) GunaiKurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (proposed TBC)

• Tues 22nd April 12-1pm @ Kalimna Office
• Tues 20th May 12-1pm @ Morwell Office
• Tues 17th June 12-1pm @ Kalimna Office
• NAIDOC Week Thursday 10th July – GLaWAC Community Gathering, Knob Reserve

The first of these sessions were kicked off in Bairsdale at GEGAC with 15 people attending in person and online and was great to hear and answer some of the burning questions around all aspects of Treaty and negotiations. The next Bairnsdale session planned for April will have a focus on establishing a Youth Voice for the future. I also attended the LEAHA Community meeting to give updates and promote the future sessions with around 20 staff and community in attendance.

Other Community engagement sessions, workshops and pop up shops that will continue to take place and get picked up throughout our amazing Treaty engagement team based in Morwell and our Deadly SE elected Members Brian, Troy & Peter.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Youth Voice

A bit of an update as the Co-Conveners of the Youth voice with Jordan Edwards, we have been working hard in the last few months with the policy team to finalise the Youth Voice Engagement Plan and Engagement Strategy within it based on the feedback and consultations with young people held around the state last year through regional forums and surveys.

Other focus has been around building on relationships with key Advocacy groups like Koorie Youth Council, ACCO’s and building onto our database of Youth services and organisations across the state. Increasing enrolments of young people which will be integral to the reach of engagement we will be able to achieve moving forward.

Keep an eye out for our visits with young mob across the state as well. We also presented at the statewide treaty Forum around the work done to date and the journey we would like to take with young mob in the future to work towards developing and cementing a youth voice model into the future Treaty representative body

Treaty Delegation

EOI for Treaty Delegation – Aotearoa NZ: I have submitted an “Expression of Interest” along with my Co-Convener to attend an Assembly delegation to Aotearoa NZ an opportunity I see to gain more knowledge around Youth models that been established in other countries to support youth voice within their Treaties.

As part of our delegation, we plan to make Visits to Youth programs, services that have been an outcome of Treaty to be able to enhance the work that we are doing here on our lands in Victoria.

We plan to if possible be able to visit and yarn with young members of parliament and in leadership roles as well to gain more insight on how they are elevating the voices of their people & young people to government through their representative roles and models developed that will enhance our work here in Victoria.

Member update not submitted.

Member update not submitted.

SE planning meetings:

South East members meet regularly on a monthly basis with different treaty staff from different areas to action work that needs to be done around Planning Treaty Regional Gatherings, Communication Strategies and resources, Treaty Yarning Circles, collating Key points & feedback from community & Engagement Strategies.

SE Regional Treaty Gatherings:

were run last June 19th Bairnsdale, June 20th Morwell, June 21st Warragull and the second round of gatherings are due around 10th October before the November Chamber looking at a venue in Sale TBC.

Treaty Yarning Circles:

Facilitated Treaty Yarning Circles with GEGAC Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Staff – Bairnsdale, Ramahyuck Board – Sale & Community. Future Yarning Cirlces that I will be attending will be held in September at Ramahyuck – Morwell, Latrobe Cummunity Link – Morwell & Wonthaggi Community Forum will be a combined Metro Sth East effort.

Youth Voice working Groups:

The Youth Conveners have been having weekly planning meetings with our team to action work that needs to be done around Collation of youth specific information needed to feed into negotiation brief, Planning of youth Forums to be held across the state, Engagement in Statewide Youth events, Youth specific communication strategies, networking and building relationships with key organisations and groups within the youth Space, building youth data base through registrations & Youth Surveys.

Youth Voice Forums:

Bairnsdale youth voice forum May 30th 50+ Youth attended and engaged in cultural activities Treaty Yarns and Activities based around Treaty Negotiations and debates on subject of Indigenous Language being taught in Schools. Currently planning next two regional Forums through youth Voice Working group in the NW area and Metro areas to be delivered in October & November.

Treaty Day Out 2025 Planning Meetings:
Community Engagement: planning meetings with Engagement Manager and SE Members for Treaty Day out 2025 planned for the Gippsland Region March 2025.
Other Meetings & Events June – Sept:
FPAV Chamber meeting Portland 26th – 28th June, Swan Hill 4th – 6th September
FPAV Council Meetings: 7
Workstreams: Inherent Rights 2 , Future Assembly 4
Committee Meetings: Self Determination Fund 0, Yurpa 4, Treaty 4, Youth Voice Working Group Meetings 2
Youth Voice Structure Meetings: 4
SE Planning Meetings: 3
Treaty Authority Launch event: 17th July
Meet & Greet Karen Diver Senior Advisor to the president for Native American Affairs University of Minnesota Duluth: 8th August
Open Yarn with Maori Leaders from Aotearoa Kelvin Davis & Te Rau Kupenga building relationships in support for our Treaty: 9th August
Statewide ACCO Sector Treaty Forum, realizing our collective Power discussions: 26th August
Treaty & Truth Parliamentary Lunch, key speakers Premier Jacinta Allen, FPAV, Yoorook Justice Commission, Treaty Authority: 27th August

Member update not submitted.

Member update not submitted.