Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council

The Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council strongly condemns the violent attack on Camp Sovereignty on Sunday 31 August.

Camp Sovereignty is situated within a cultural landscape widely known as Melbourne's Domain Parkland. Our Ancestors are buried here, at a site that's protected under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.

The neo-Nazi nationalists that attacked Camp Sovereignty caused physical harm to First Peoples, cultural harm to our community, spiritual harm to our Ancestors, and harm to our vision for Victoria as a place where all cultures are respected.

Hate-based violence has no place anywhere in Victoria, and especially not at a sacred place where our Ancestors were laid to rest.

Camp Sovereignty is part of a deeply sacred landscape for First Peoples in Victoria. Melbourne's Domain Parkland was a well-known camping ground, rich with natural resources, and gathering place for many First Peoples from across the Kulin Nations.

In 1985, 38 Aboriginal Ancestors of unknown provenance were buried here. A procession of First Peoples representatives carried the bark-wrapped Ancestors along Swanston Street and St Kilda Road.

“…years later, this site was chosen for the Sacred Fire and Smoking Ceremony held at Camp Sovereignty, located in the Kings Doman Garden Area, during the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. Here, the burial place marked by a rock was significant to the struggle and the respect that connects us to our Ancestors’ cultural ways. The rock site was between the river and the sacred fire with the supporting people amongst the trees.”
(Wayne Thorpe, reflecting on the repatriation ceremony in ‘Power and the Passion’)

We condemn and deplore the racist hate that filled our streets over the weekend.

The people who participated in anti-immigration marches are the same people who attacked Camp Sovereignty, a sacred gathering place for First Peoples - the only people in this country who are not immigrants. Their actions need to be called out as race-based.

Camp Sovereignty continues to stand as a reminder that sovereignty was never ceded, our sacred fires will never be extinguished, and our Ancestors continue to soar with the winds.

Council is recruiting! Apply by 5pm Thursday 25 September 2025.

Become a Member of the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council and continue the work of Traditional Owners in protecting their own heritage.

The Minister for Treaty and First Peoples is seeking expressions of interest from Aboriginal people who: are Victorian Traditional Owners; live in Victoria; and have relevant experience and knowledge of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in Victoria.

Consideration will also be given to experience in governance and previous work under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006.

Council welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences, including people of different genders, people of all ages, people with a disability, and LGBTIQA+ people.

How do I apply?
Send your written EOI (available at https://www.aboriginalheritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/become-member-aboriginal-heritage-council) addressing the above criteria to [email protected] by 5pm, Thursday 25 September 2025.

NAIDOC Week celebrations commenced on Sunday 6 July. This year’s NAIDOC Week theme is ‘The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy’.

In line with this theme, Council draws from its strength as a First Peoples collective who hold a vision where Traditional Owners are in control of their cultural heritage, right across Victoria. Council’s work to return Ancestors home deeply respects our connected legacy.

The Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council encourages all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. A list of events is here: https://www.naidoc.org.au/local-events/local-naidoc-week-events

Council members Liz Allen and Melinda Kennedy were thrilled to join recent community screenings of our powerful documentary Returning Our Ancestors.

Each year, Council does vital work in returning Ancestors to their rightful custodians on Country and helping Victorians understand why repatriation of Ancestors is so essential for Traditional Owners.

Our sincere thanks go to Hepburn Shire Council for organising a fascinating Q&A panel with Liz, Trent Nelson (Djaara) & archaeologist Noah Tyler.

Big thanks too to Brimbank City Council for hosting a lively discussion with Melinda and Uncle Shane Charles.

Keep an eye out for more screening events during NAIDOC week and beyond.

A reminder that EOIs to sit on Council's Advisory Committees are due by 5pm, 30 June 2025! We welcome applications from Victorian Traditional Owners, as an opportunity to grow their experience in protecting our rich cultural heritage.

Committee members meet at least once a month and are remunerated for their time. Support Council to make important decisions on media and communications, law reform and Ancestral Remains.

To find out more, visit Council's website at https://www.aboriginalheritagecouncil.vic.gov.au

Attention Victorian Traditional Owners: the deadline for grant applications to the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Fund closes soon! Get your submission in by 5pm, 20 June 2025.

The Fund supports initiatives that enable Victorian Traditional Owners to manage and protect their Aboriginal Cultural Heritage.

For more information check out Council's website at https://www.aboriginalheritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/aboriginal-cultural-heritage-fund

In the spirit of Reconciliation Week, Council is proud to support screenings of our groundbreaking documentary Returning our Ancestors:

Tonight 29 May, 5:30 start @ Radius Art Gallery, Daylesford – with Council member Liz Allen followed by Q&A panel session

Next Tuesday 3 June, 6pm start @ Bowery Theatre, St Albans – with Council Deputy Chair Melinda Kennedy followed by discussion with Uncle Shane Charles

Come along and find out how you can support Traditional Owners in the repatriation of our Ancestors.

https://events.humanitix.com/returning-our-ancestors-film-screening

https://creativebrimbank.com.au/returning-our-ancestors

The Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council is looking for Victorian Traditional Owners to sit on its Advisory Committees.

You’ll work with Traditional Owner members of Council and our office to help advise on Council's important decisions, with positions available on our media, communications & policy, law reform and Ancestral remains committees. Committee members are remunerated for their time, with meetings usually held at least once a month.

This is an excellent opportunity for Traditional Owners with growing experience in cultural heritage management to build their knowledge and expertise – and to better understand the work of Council.

Expressions of interest (EOI) applications are due by 30 June 2025. Check out Council’s website for more details: www.aboriginalheritagecouncil.vic.gov.au

Council member Dr Jen Mason will join fellow panelists on rewilding Melbourne for Melbourne Design Week.
Traditional Owners are invited to share their insights and experiences about how Indigenous plants and traditional land management practices can transform our cities into resilient biodiverse environments. Email Council: [email protected]
Book to see the panel on Thursday 22 May on the MDW website.

The deadline for applications for grants under the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council Fund has been extended until 5pm, 20 June 2025.

The Fund supports initiatives that enable Victorian Traditional Owners to manage and protect their Aboriginal Cultural Heritage.

More information about grant applications can be found on Council’s website: https://www.aboriginalheritagecouncil.vic.gov.au.

Please get in touch with our office to chat about your potential project: [email protected] or 03 9922 7002

Council is very pleased to announce the first round of grants under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Fund is now open. The grants application period will run between 7 April - 20 May.

Eligible applicants can apply for grants to deliver initiatives that aim to protect or manage Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in Victoria.

Grant Funding is available under three categories:

Category 1: Cultural heritage protection works (up to $250, 000 plus GST)

Category 2: Innovation, excellence and advocacy in cultural heritage management (up to $50,000 plus GST)

Category 3: Awareness or training initiatives (up to $25,000 plus GST).

Applicants must be organisations controlled, led or directed by Victorian Traditional Owners. Auspice organisations may apply on behalf of Traditional Owners.

For more information, visit the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council website or contact us on [email protected]

"Council is committed to empowering our People in the management and protection of their cultural heritage, and we look forward to working together with Traditional Owners across the State to keep our Culture alive and strong."

Russell Mullett, Council Chair

Read here how a specialised Aboriginal led team is working to protect cultural heritage from bushfire events in Victoria

Less bulldozing, more hand labour: A blueprint for firefighting strategy For the first time this Victorian bushfire season, a specialist Indigenous team protected sacred sites from the Grampians and Little Desert blazes, preventing important art and history from turning to ash.