Wyrker Milloo (Wamba Wamba meaning Messenger from the River Murray) Gnerick Gnerick. Biological blood connection to Wamba Wamba, Barapa Barapa, Yorta Yorta, Dhudhuroa, Wiradjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung and Wergaia. International connections to India, Scotland, England and Ireland. FPA Member for Naarm Metro, Treaty Committee and Yurpa Committee.

Recent work priorities:

Attended over 27 FPA Assembly, Treaty and Yurpa formal meetings since April 2024 including Statewide Gatherings with Traditional Owner and ACCO Agencies. Inclusiveness and Self Determination continue to be reciprocal messaging from individuals and groups.

Have actively provided support to Applicants for Reserve Seats, Self Determination Funds, VAHA Registered Aboriginal Party status and native title claims. More recently, support for my People and Ancestral lands at Cummeragunga NSW.

Being a Member of a Stated Elected Represented Entity local, regional, state, national and international issues arise. These matters do attract our interest on top of our commitment to FPA Treaty focused needs and aspirations. Priorities of Members need to be measured and in respectful good faith.

Treaty is always embedded in discussions and seeking support for the FPA and securing People to our Electoral Roll. All RAP, PBCS and ACCO Members should be on our Roll and vice versa.

There is strong support for Multipurpose Cultural Economic Arts Hubs and Satellites across Victoria and NSW eg Ballerrt Mooroop, etc. Participated in a meeting with the University of Melbourne Faculty of Architecture to secure support for a strategy to prosecute the need for architectural support for a FPA Concept and other projects. This needs to be supported by the Assembly. There is also strong support for cultural audits on all First Nations Cemeteries and burial grounds as well as the establishment for a proper viable Funeral and Headstone Fund.

Engagement activities:

Attended Metro based meetings and Merri Bek First Peoples Advisory Group meetings regularly. Continue to do Zoom Meetings and actual meetings locally. The Ballerrt Mooroop Project a $70m+ Hub will be progressed with a potential land title transfer to Woiwurrung First Nation and a Stage One building development campaign. This may involve Merri Bek Council, ILSC, State and Treaty support. This work is an ongoing commitment. Please see the following images and architectural designs below.

Insights:

The FPA need to be more active locally and regionally at grassroots level. Our events and activities need to be more creative and targeted to Families and Clans. Members need to be seen, heard and lead on grassroots matters like inclusiveness, events, identity fraud, poor governance and compliance that impact our Families to their detriment. There is a growing level of trust and faith in our FPA Leadership, Members and Staff. This will grow when the first Treaties are signed off and implemented.

Implementation:

Need to actively target the aforementioned issues and maintain momentum and trust in our dealings with All Parties. The FPA is on the right side of history, the “chicken littles and doomsayers” are not.

Also the intellectual property sourced from an intensively documented Treaty and related Entities needs to be packaged and patented into educational curriculum for all educational levels as the information is culturally, historically and educationally significant.

The Community and FPA Team Leaders, Members, Staffers and related Legal Entities need to preserve, protect and promote solid Unity, promote effective grassroots spiritual, socioeconomic, legal and political outcomes that bring to a head the past hard work of all of our Esteemed Ancestors and for the sacred First Nations Generations.

Lastly, thanks to All Staffers who continue their solid support to Members, be United, Diligent and Deadly.

Gnerick Gnerick Gary Murray. Direct biological connections to Wergaia, Djaara, Wamba Wamba (Cross border Nation), Barapa Barapa (Cross border Nation), Yorta Yorta (Cross border Nation), Dhudhuroa and Wiradjeri (Central NSW). Also recognising my Clans’ connections to our Scottish, Irish, English and Indian Ancestors. Elected as a FPA Metro Representative in July 2023.

Priorities (not necessarily in Priority Order) evolving in 2025 are the Statewide Treaties being finalized in 2025, scoping a FPA Multipurpose Hub and First Nations’ Satellite design and construct, inclusion of all First Nations (Bidwell, Ngarigu Monero, Yatmaithang, Dhudhuroa, Waywurru, Yorta Yorta, Barapa Barapa, Wadi Wadi, Tati Tati and Buandig in 2025, reviewing Multi-Nation Corporations singular Reserve Seats, more effective release of Self Determination Funds, Dispute Resolution across the State maybe via the Treaty Authority, and state regimes like the VAHA and TOSA.

Key Messaging continues to be support the Assembly, join the FPA Electoral Roll, think about what Individuals, Family Groups, Clans, Nations and our ACCOs want in the scoping of Statewide and local First Nations Treaties that address the impacts of the subculture of poverty, dispossession, dispersal and deculturalisation. Also generally updating First Nations, Clans and Peoples how the Assembly and its related Entities (viz; Chamber, the Council, Yurpa and Treaty Committees, Workstreams and Staffers) are progressing the Treaty legislation, Negotiation Framework. FPA and State of Victoria negotiations. Also how all the external entities such as theYoorrook Justice Commission,, Treaty Authority and Self Determination Fund Trust are operating in a spirit of unity and efficiency aimed at securing substantive outcomes for all First Nations Peoples.

I have attended Assembly, ACCO and Community meetings at Wyndham, Upwey, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Bendigo, Portland, Lakes Entrance, Lake Tyers, Richmond, Collingwood, Thornbury as well as many internal and external Zoom Meetings with LGA’s, and Traditional Owner Groups over the last 18 months.

The FPA needs to increase our Electoral Roll to 30,000+ Voters. We also need to convince the ‘doubters and nosayers’ that Treaties present an opportunity to address Sovereignty, reparations, land rights and the socio-economic injustices of the past to now. Our Peoples want to see practical outcomes and our physical presence in tackling issues and unresolved projects like the Ballerrt Mooroop Multipurpose Precinct, Repatriations, MAYSAR’s and the AAL’s facilities and services properly funded and inclusive. There are also serious local Nation matters that need to be resolved in North West Victoria, North East Victoria, and South East Victoria as well as cross border issues that impact our Peoples and the principle of unity, justice and inclusiveness. The FPA needs to learn from past corporate and bureaucratic strategies and failures eg ATSIC, etc.

There must be no more “sitting on the fence or head buried in the sand” on local, state, or national issues that are unjust and ultra vires to First Nations Clans and Family Groups and UN Conventions and Domestic Human Rights Laws

Working with excluded First Nations is a high priority particularly along the middle and upper Murray River to Mallacoota in the east. The Nations in this area need executive support in cultural heritage, native title, Treaties, economic development, land and water acquisition. The Excluded First Nations need Treaties more so then the recognised groups.

The Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010 (Vic) is broke and First Nations are moving to the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) to secure rights and benefits

The concepts of Hubs and Satellites have to be progressed in Metro and the Regions as a High Practical Priority – the first step scoping conceptual Master Architectural Plans in preferred locations and specific sites eg Metro, Bidwell Cape Conran, Boort, Direl, Bright, Echuca, Lake Boga, etc. Master Architectural Plans must not be “boomerang on the wall” concepts. Rather, concepts must be multi-functional meaning unique First Nation designs, cultural and arts space, community organisational space, archives and exhibition space and first class accommodation and housing. The Assembly needs a Multifunctional Precinct as a High Priority in the Naarm and Regions that are welcoming, safe and accessible to All of our Peoples. Support is available from the University of Melbourne School of Design and Architecture as well as Breathe Architects based in East Melbourne.

Work will also be ongoing with the City of Merri bek matters especially the handover of the land title and funding of the Ballerrt Mooroop Multifunctional Precinct at Glenroy. Metro Members signed off on a Support Letter which was handed to the State Minister Natalie Hutchins MP. This needs to be followed through in negotiations by all Parties. Ballerrt Mooroop will be a significant land handover of six acres which will underpin Multipurpose Hub for On Country and Off Country First Peoples on Woiwurrung.

Duck Shooting is another live issue needs to be abolished across all First Nations waterways and State and Commonwealth Heritage Laws may have to be activated. This cruel, unsafe and dangerous activity across culturally significant and tranquil Places and waters should be abolished as it has been in other States. First Nations need to review the practice of guns and bullets in and around our cultural Places and Sites.

As well, the Arts and Archives Projects will need more time and commitment to progress our First Nations aspirations across both sectors. This issue is also resolved through the Hub and satellites strategy.

Firstly, a giant Thank You to All the Staffers in the First Peoples Assembly who over my first 18 months have provided great support to all Members including myself. I certainly appreciate you All and respect the work done to progress the FPA and Treaties. I also appreciate all the support from our Communities and ACCO’s that has been given in different forms. Ditto the Co-Chairs, Council, Treaty Committee, Yurpa Committee and the Workstreams.

Secondly, lets get to the 30,000+ First Peoples on our Electoral Roll and show Australia there can be Cultural Unity and First Peoples Democracy at the highest level.

My name is Gnerick Gnerick Wyrker Milloo Gary Murray the elected Member for Metro and a State Representative on the Victorian First Peoples Assembly. I’m a Multi Clanned Traditional Owner connected to Dhudhuroa Yorta Yorta Wamba Wemba Barapa Barapa Dja Dja Wurrung Wergaia and Wiradjuri. My specific Ancestors and Family Groups are William Murray (c.1870-1953), Barradapgourndicth Robroy Stewart (c.1844-1940), Maria (d.1879) and Kitty Atkinson-Cooper (c.1829-1900), Koombra Alexander Campbell (c.1850-1923), Mary (early 1800’s) and Mary Jane Andrews (c.1850-1945), Emma Curr (c.1850’s-1886), Augusta Robinson (c.1855-1886), Harriet Brown and Louisa Frost,

My priorities have been to actively participate in the Chamber, Treaty Committee and Yurpa Committee and to monitor the ongoing work of the Workstreams. I have attended all meetings and have been a part of all decision making. Key messages to my Constituents are to encourage FPA Electoral Enrolment, support for the Treaties Campaign and the Assembly’s operations. Engaged in social media messaging and circulating positive email messages and notices. Provision of executive support for First Nations seeking recognition, Reserve Seats, SDF funding, native title and RAP status.

I have been involved in various events in the City of Merri bek with Wurundjeri at the proposed Multi- functional Cultural Heritage Health Sport and Astronomy Precinct at 208A Hilton Street Glenroy. Also have facilitated Treaty Lectures for students and staff at Victoria University on the Footscray Campus and the Ballerrt Mooroop proposed development. with students and the local community. Have attended Djaara Treaty Gathering at Creswick and the Rumbalara and Munarra Shepparton Campus for the Economic Prosperity Workstream.

The key takeaways for First Nations Peoples have been trust issues and non-belief in what could be the outcomes for proper and rational Treaty Negotiations. This extends into the FPA Electoral Roll as well. The Statewide Traditional Owner Gatherings at local, regional and state level could eventually address these ungrounded trust and belief issues. Physical FPA Offices would also be helpful. Non-Indigenous Peoples are in support but this needs to be monitored and our messaging needs to produce more data on how Non Indigenous People will benefit from Treaties and the current funding programmes.

The FPA needs to go fulltime given the above and the commencement of Assembly/State Treaty Negotiations. The FPA must ensure transparency and openness in a general sense about what the FPA is negotiating for the benefit of our People and Nations and how it fits into local First Nation Treaties. All First Nations must be funded and recognised through the various State Regimes – All Members need to step up their effectiveness and coordination in ensuring all First Nations in their regions are duly recognised and resourced.

Our focus now is on FPA/State negotiations whilst Members must also support specific First Nations Treaties in the Regions. Community has also expressed concern that the FPA, Self Determination Fund Trustees and Yoor-rook Royal Commission do not own the buildings they operate from. Noted the Treaty Authority has acquired their building. There needs to be a resourced and coordinated review on all Victorian cultural assets including buildings, archives and cemeteries

It’s time for everyone to enroll and support the FPA and all First Nations to secure proper, equitable and just Treaties that benefit Family Groups, Clans and First Nations. It is time to resolve the longstanding issues arising from colonization, dispossession, dispersal and deculturalization, elements of genocide, loss of lore, customs, Country, language and culture, Time to Unite and Act, that is the least we can do for all of our Esteemed Ancestors and Future Generations.

Gnerick Gnerick Wyrker Milloo Gary Murray
25 September 2024

Member update not submitted.

Member update not submitted.

I was born on The Island Balranald NSW on 2 September 1951. My father was John Stewart Murray JP; OAM (1922-1989) and my Mother is Norah Murray nee Nicholls (1928-2010). Through my Mother and Father, I am one of ten members elected in July 2023 for Metro (Naarm). I am a direct Multi-Clanned Descendant of First Nations Clans and Family Groups from Wamba Wamba & Dhudhuroa (Stewarts & Andrews), Yorta Yorta & Perrapa Perrapa & Wergaia & Wiradjeri (Atkinsons, Frosts, Robinson, Logan-Nicholls & Brown), and Dja Dja Wurrung (Girribong and Kitty & Emma Curr). I view my role as a State Representative on a Statewide entity with responsibilities and obligation to all our First Peoples without fear or favour. I have lived at differing times in my seven decades on The Island Balranald NSW, Camp Pell, Glenroy, Heywood, and Moama NSW and currently in Fawkner. I have twelve children and twenty-eight grandchildren. I am currently a Law Student at CDU and a part-time Assembly Member and writing several books on connection, Treaties, and Family.

The Assembly has now been operating since December 2019. Priorities are ensuring that the Assembly is inclusive and democratic, meaning that all credible First Nations must have the human right to self determination and a Reserve Seat on the Assembly without fear or favour. At the time of reporting no new Reserve Seats have been approved. Additionally, a priority has been to ensure the establishment of An Elders Entity with proper cultural authority and resources. Our First Nations communities demand that these two goals are achieved without oppressive rules and policies. Other priorities are to ensure that the Self Determination Fund is not another layer of bureaucracy.

In the eight months since my election, I have attended all Assembly meetings at Melbourne, Creswick, Bendigo, and San Remo as well as Yurpa and Treaty Committee meetings, two Yoorrook Roundtables, several Treaty Forums in Merri Bek Council area including a Treaty Forum at Fawkner and two Victoria University Treaty Forums at Ballerrt Mooroop in Glenroy, and spoke at the 2024 WAR Rally in the CBD before 50,000 People. I have also provided proactive technical support for Reserve Seat applications for several First Nations who have been excluded since 2019 from the Assembly. I am active in all my First Nations assisting with native title and RAP claims and the dynamics of Traditional Owner Gatherings, language, water policy and corporate entities. I have been actively participating in Merri Bek Council and the Ballerrt Mooroop Project which aims to establish a $70m+ Multi Functional Cultural Education, Medical, Sport and Astronomy Precinct on six acres of Crown land at 208A Hilton Street Glenroy on Woiwurrung Country. I have attended Native Title Meetings in Swan Hill and Melbourne. I have encouraged many of my Constituents and Networkers to enrol on the Assembly’s Electoral Roll to have a vote and determine their Treaty aspirations.

My Constituents insist and support the UN Charter and domestic human rights law for the Assembly to speedily ensure that all Excluded First Nations must be admitted to the Assembly without fail. Ditto the establishment of a Sovereign First Nations Elders’ Entity.

The path to inclusivity and establishing the Elders’ Entity as mandated by an inclusive Statewide Gathering of First Nations Peoples in February 2016 at Federation Square Zinc Conference Centre is to be progressed more proactively and vigorously. This is a cultural duty and obligation. Decisions and strategies of the past need to be reviewed on all matters impacting our People. My Constituents demand this.

Given State and Commonwealth Elections and the No Referendum Vote, the FPAV must show strong and proactive leadership without the shackles of oppressive rules and procedures, The cultural lens must be strongly focussed and firm substantive inclusive action our sacred duty. My constituents argue that there is a mentality of the “rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer out there” and this must change. This means greater transparency and openness about informing our Constituents to see how we make decisions, why and who is making those decisions impacting our Peoples. As for key priorities the first is getting templates scoped for First Nation and Statewide Treaties. This includes a template for Treaties between First Nations as well. The second is securing 30,000+ First Peoples on the FPAV Electoral Roll through existing corporations to continue the excellent engagement strategies. The third is to ensure all members are elected by their First Nations Peoples and not be a de facto ultra vires appointment from the State appointed Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council. The fourth is the establishment of a Committee to secure a Multifunctional Building to house the Assembly and related entities and programs.

My message to All of our People is that this is Our time and opportunity for our Ancestors, Descendants and Future Generations to shine and secure substantive Treaties across all Families, Clans, and Nations. The benefits derived from solidly negotiated Treaties must flow to Family Groups as the highest priority. Do not support the current structures that do not deliver inclusive memberships and services, breach your human rights, and deliver poor or exclusive outcomes. That is a cultural obligation we all must bear if the benefits are to be equitably shared across all Family Groups. Stand Up and Demand your Sacrosanct Right to Vote and be Included. That is your Human Right. Lastly, I thank the Staff and proactive Members for their support throughout my short term as elected Member of the First Peoples’ Assembly.