As a proud Taungurung woman with deep family lines throughout Victoria, I am honoured to be elected as the Taungurung Representative on the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. I want to thank my people for placing their trust in me to represent them at the Treaty table.
Growing up in rural Victoria, I understand the unique challenges our Mob face in the regions. Deeply entrenched poverty and having to navigate systems that were never designed for us means that access to services and genuine economic opportunities, can often feel out of reach. Treaty must deliver real change for our communities, no matter where they live. It needs to break down barriers, create new opportunities, and ensure that Traditional Owners and all First Peoples across the state are supported to care for Country, strengthen community, and build a strong future for the next generations.
I am passionate about ensuring our Elders are respected and elevated in decision-making, that our young people are empowered and have a voice, and that opportunities are created for future generations. Treaty is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape our future on our own terms. It is about truth-telling, justice, and ensuring the next generations inherit a legacy of strength, culture, and sovereignty.
This is not something that can be done alone—it must be done together. I encourage all First Peoples to be part of the conversation, to share your voices, and to help shape this journey. I will always be available to listen, to learn, and to advocate for the needs of our community.
I look forward to working alongside you all as we negotiate a Treaty that reflects the strength and resilience of our people and ancestors.
Warrawii-ngat yuwang-ngal-in.
(Let’s stand together.)
Member Updates
August 2025 — Meeting of Assembly at Naarm
Wawa yumaagu, my name is Kaley Nicholson and I am the elected Representative Seat Holder for the Taungurung Nation in the North East Region. My family lines are in Taungurung, Bunurong/Boonwurrung, Yorta Yorta, Barapa Barapa, Wemba Wemba, Mutthi Mutthi, Latji Latji, Wiradjuri.
Work priorities:
Over the past few months, I’ve moved from finding my feet in the Assembly to actively contributing to the work that will take us closer to Treaty. I’ve deepened my understanding of where negotiations are at, the outcomes we’re working towards, and how these will deliver meaningful benefits for Mob across the state.
Alongside this, I’ve been working closely with the Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC) team to roll out our communications and engagement plan. This has involved hearing directly from our members via a survey, about what they know, what they want to learn, and what matters most to them in Treaty. The feedback gathered is helping to shape how I represent our Nation’s priorities in the Chamber and ensuring our community’s voice is strong in these negotiations.
Engagements:
Over the past few months, I’ve participated in the regional forums, which took us to towns right across our region. I attended the Shepparton, Echuca, Mansfield, and Seymour sessions, where we engaged with community to share updates on where Treaty negotiations are at and to listen to their views, questions, concerns and aspirations. These yarns were a vital part of ensuring our community stays informed and that their perspectives continue to shape the work we do as their representatives on the Assembly.
Insights:
From my conversations with community, a number of clear messages have come through. People want to be well-informed about Treaty and the work of the Assembly, with regular, accessible updates and opportunities to ask questions. They want to see the Assembly operate with integrity and transparency, ensuring decisions are made ethically and in the best interests of all First Peoples.
A general concern has also been raised about how personal information will be used — particularly around fears that enrolling on the Assembly’s electoral roll might mean their details are shared with government. I’ve been able to reassure community that this is not the case, and that their information is kept private and protected – in line with the principles of data sovereignty. Importantly, people want their rights and interests to be genuinely represented and safeguarded throughout the Treaty process.
Implementation:
These insights reinforce the importance of keeping community at the centre of my work. I’ll continue to prioritise clear, transparent communication and make sure updates on Treaty progress are accessible and easy to understand. I’ll also keep addressing misinformation, particularly around how personal information is used, so that people feel safe and confident to engage.
Most importantly, I’ll use what I’ve heard to guide how I represent our Nation and the broader First Peoples of Victoria in the Chamber and on the Assembly; ensuring our community’s rights, interests, and priorities are strongly advocated for, and that the Assembly operates in a way that upholds integrity and trust on the journey to Treaty.
Looking ahead:
In the coming months, I’ll be focusing on continuing to represent Taungurung priorities in the Chamber and preparing for our Taungurung Treaty Camp in October, a key opportunity for members to come together, yarn about Treaty, and share their perspectives. I’ll also be continuing to provide regular updates through our monthly newsletter to keep everyone informed on progress and opportunities.
Community members are always welcome to reach out to me directly at any time to ask questions, share feedback, or raise issues they want represented in the Chamber.
Conclusion:
I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to share their thoughts, concerns, and hopes with me over the past few months. Your voices are at the heart of this work, and every conversation helps shape how I represent our Nation in the Chamber. We’re on this journey to Treaty together, and I’m committed to making sure Taungurung voices are heard loud and clear every step of the way.
June 2025 — Meeting of Assembly at Halls Gap
Wawa yumaagu, my name is Kaley Nicholson and I am the elected Representative Seat Holder for the Taungurung Nation in the North East Region. My family lines are in Taungurung, Bunurong/Boonwurrung, Yorta Yorta, Barapa Barapa, Wemba Wemba, Mutthi Mutthi, Latji Latji, Wiradjuri.
Recent work priorities:
Whilst my main priority has been continuing to find my feet in the Assembly, getting up to speed with where negotiations are at and how the outcomes are expected to be and how they’ll benefit Mob across the state. In addition to this, I have also been working with the Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC) team to put together a comms and engagement plan to better understand what members know about Treaty, what they want to know more about and where their priorities sit.
Engagement activities:
I attended the Taungurung Treaty Readiness camp in May, presented to the TLaWC Board of Directors and am currently running a community survey aimed at establishing a baseline of where communities knowledge is and what they may want to know more about.
Insights:
Community are keen to build their knowledge of the differences between state-wide and individual treaties and what each can achieve. They’re actively seeking opportunities for engagement and knowledge share and they’re excited about what Treaty can deliver for them, their families, the broader community and for Country.
Implementation:
Once I have the results of the survey I will develop a set of content pillars and an engagement plan to support the increase in knowledge about Treaty amongst members. I will also incorporate any direction received from members into my advocacy work on the Assembly to ensure the views of Taungurung community are incorporated into the development of the state-wide treaty.
Looking ahead:
I remain focused on providing clarity to members about the difference between Statewide and Traditional Owner Treaties and what they may achieve. I am also focused on encouraging members to enrol/update their enrolment details with FPAV to ensure their input is captured in broader processes.
I will continue to attend the TLaWC Treaty Readiness Camps, present to the Board and be available to community for one on one yarns as well as providing regular updates on key details in the TLaWC Newsletter around the Statewide Treaty. In addition to this I will work with the TLaWC Treaty Manager on the Taungurung Treaty so that members can increase their knowledge and awareness of each Treaty.
Thank you:
It’s been a huge few months in the Treaty space, and I continue to be inspired by the resilience and dedication of our People in this work. Every conversation, every challenge, and every step forward reminds me why this process matters. We’re not just negotiating agreements, we’re asserting our sovereignty, honouring our Ancestors, and shaping a future that reflects our strength, our stories, and our right to self-determination.
I’m proud to walk alongside so many fierce and committed Mob, and I’m holding deep hope for what we are building together.
March 2025 — Meeting of Assembly at Traralgon
My name is Kaley Nicholson and I am the elected Representative Seat Holder for the Taungurung Nation in the North East Region. My family lines are Taungurung, Bunurong/Boonwurrung, Yorta Yorta, Barapa Barapa, Wemba Wemba, Mutthi Mutthi, Latji Latji, Wiradjuri.
My main priority has been finding my feet in the Assembly and getting up to speed with where negotiations are at, what the key outcomes are expected to be and how they’ll benefit Mob across the state.
I attended the Taungurung Treaty Readiness camp in February – this was supported by the North East engagement team and the Policy team. We did the Treaty for Generations workshop and had some deadly merch for Mob in attendance.
Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC) members are confused about the difference between Statewide Treaty and Traditional Owner Treaties. They are unclear on what a Statewide Treaty will achieve.
I am focused on providing clarity to members about the difference between Statewide and Traditional Owner Treaties and what they may achieve. I am also focused on encouraging members to enrol/update their enrolment details with FPAV to ensure their input is captured in broader processes.
I am providing some key detail in the TLaWC Newsletter around the Statewide Treaty – this is supported by additional information from the TLaWC Treaty Manager on the Taungurung Treaty so that members can increase their knowledge and awareness of each Treaty.
My first month on The Assembly has been deadly – the Co-Chairs and the other members have been so welcoming and helpful in making sure I am up to speed on where the work is at and my confidence is growing as the weeks progress.
If any community members have any feedback or would like to arrange a visit please feel free to reach out!
