I am a proud Wamba Wamba woman, deeply connected to my community and passionate about advocating for our rights and aspirations.
As the granddaughter of Robert Moore-Taylor and Louisa Moore nee Kirby, and the daughter of Louise Sinnappan nee Moore, my heritage traces back to my apical ancestors, Robert Taylor and Mary Margaret Smith. Their legacy of cultural stewardship inspires me every day.
Growing up on Country, I learned from our Elders the importance of caring for family and community through cultural protocols and traditional practices. These early experiences fuelled my passion for achieving land and social justice outcomes for our people.
With over 28 years at the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated (VAEAI), I have built strong relationships with communities across the state and learned from relentless Elders striving for better education and training outcomes for our people. We walk in the footsteps of giants.
As the Reserved Seat holder for the Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation, I am dedicated to empowering our community through regular and respectful engagement with individuals, families, youth, adults, and Elders. I am committed to ensuring our voices are heard and respected in the ongoing treaty negotiations and beyond.
Member Updates
March 2025 — Meeting of Assembly at Traralgon
Since my last report in September 2024, there have been a number of significant developments and activities. As the WWAC reserved seat holder on the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria, I have actively participated in our committee meetings through the Treaty and Yurpa Committees.
In October 2024, I attended the first Statewide Traditional Owner Treaty Forum with WWAC Gnerrick Gnerricks Hazel Atkinson, Danny Kelly, and Stephanie Charles. The forum aimed to update Traditional Owner (TO) groups on the Treaty process and clarify the differences between Statewide and Traditional Owner Treaties. A panel discussion allowed TOs to ask questions and seek clarification on the roles of the self-determination fund and treaty authority.
In November 2024, I attended the second Statewide ACCO Treaty Forum, building further on the first forum held in August. This was followed by a three-day Treaty Chamber meeting in Shepparton. A significant milestone was achieved with the opening ceremony of Treaty Negotiations held on Wurundjeri country at Darebin Parklands. This event marked the commencement of negotiations for our first ever Statewide Treaty. Mobs from across the State gathered to celebrate through cultural performances. These performances not only showcased our rich heritage but also highlighted our strong culture. The ceremony was attended by the Premier Jacinta Allen, the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Natalie Hutchins and Governor Margaret Gardiner.
January 2025 saw our first Chamber meeting for the year at the Korin Gamadji Institute in Naarm.
February was a busy month with the Treaty Big Day Out on GunaiKurnai country, the second Statewide Traditional Owner Treaty Forum, and the Statewide Treaty Forum, all held in Naarm. WWAC Gnerrick Gnerrick Hazel Atkinson and Treaty Officer Stacey Hamilton participated in both forums along with myself.
Alongside the Treaty work it has also been a busy period for the WWAC. The WWAC has secured an office in Campbell Street, Swan Hill, which we anticipate opening in April. We have appointed our Treaty Officer, Stacey Hamilton, from funding received from the Self Determination Fund. Additionally, we have employed a Water Officer, Matthew Stewart, and hope to have our Cultural Heritage Officer and a CEO on board by the end of April.
Over the next few months, the WWAC Treaty Officer and I will hold two on-country gatherings and online sessions for Wamba Wamba/Wemba Wemba people to discuss our aspirations and dreams for the future. We will be encouraging all Wamba Wamba/Wemba Wemba peoples regardless of if you are a member of WWAC or not to participate in these important discussions. My aim for 2025 is for WWAC to be Treaty-ready and entered onto the Treaty database ready to negotiate our Treaty with the State Government.
January 2025 — Meeting of Assembly at Naarm
Member update not submitted.
November 2024 — Meeting of Assembly at Shepparton
Member update not submitted.
September 2024 — Meeting of Assembly at Swan Hill
Region: North West
Reserved Seat: Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation
In March 2024, the Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation (WWAC) was successfully voted in by Members of the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria (FPAV) through the additional pathway process for a Reserved Seat.
Following the announcement in March, WWAC had to develop a process to elect our Reserved Seat member and hold a meeting with our members to endorse the process.
The nomination process for the Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation Assembly Seat Member involved a number of steps. The vacancy was announced in late May through our social media platform and notification sent to all members. Interested individuals had to self-nominate and be endorsed by an Elder of their Apical Ancestor Family Group. Applications based on eligibility criteria and qualifications were to be submitted, along with a two minute self-recording.
On June 13th, I was announced as the successful candidate to represent the WWAC and our people, and my inaugural speech was delivered at the FPAV Chamber meeting held in Portland on June 27th.
On the 8th of August, the Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation received further good news with the announcement of our RAP status. This status was granted by the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council (VAHC) for part of our application area. The RAP status formally recognises the Wamba Wemba people as the Traditional Owners of our lands and waters under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2016. I would like to acknowledge the decades of advocacy by our Gnerrick Gnerricks (meaning head clansman/clanswoman) for recognition as Traditional Owners. This achievement is a significant milestone for our Wamba Wemba community, even though it is a partially approved RAP, and there is still more work to be done, we must celebrate every win along the way and acknowledge the ongoing journey towards full recognition.
Recently the WWAC held its Annual General Meeting on Country, and I am pleased to welcome Nakia Firebrace, Lisa Rose Thorpe and Jason Kelly onto the WWAC Board of Directors. I would like to thank our outgoing Directors Bobby Wise-Moore and Melissa Peters for their valuable insights and contribution to the Corporation. Myself, Bobby Nicholls, Jennifer Mason and Jessica McDonald will remain until our next AGM.
The WWAC were successful in our application for the Self Determination Fund. The fund will allow us to employ a Treaty Officer and hold a number of gatherings both on Country and online for our people to discuss our future economic, social and cultural development, this is in line with our inherent right to self determination which is affirmed in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). I look forward to seeing everyone at the gatherings and online as we commence to lay the foundations to becoming Treaty ready.
The WWAC Gnerrick Gnerricks and Directors look forward to hosting the FPAV Cultural Day on Country before the commencement of our September Chamber meeting. A lot of planning has gone into the day and I’m sure it will be a success.
