VCOSS

Sign the pledge to LISTEN Up!

Muriel Bamblett. Photographer: Justin McManus

LISTEN Up! is a coalition of concerned organisations seeking a better response to Aboriginal and Islander disadvantage – a response based on listening to Aboriginal and Islander voices, communities and services. The coalition was established in response to the Federal Government’s intervention in the Norther Territory.

LISTEN Up! is calling on individuals and organisations to sign up to a pledge to LISTEN Up! to Aboriginal and Islander voices.

VCOSS has endorsed the Listen Up! pledge and strongly supports this campaign.

Muriel Bamblett, Chairperson of  SNAICC (Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care) launched the LISTEN Up! pledge and campaign on Thursday 4 October 2007 at Readings in Carlton .

Go to the LISTEN Up! website - www.listenupaustralia.org to sign the pledge and get further information .

VCOSS is committed to promoting the wellbeing of Indigenous Victorians and their communities, and addressing the disadvantage they experience. A central part of the VCOSS vision is our respect for the land we live in and our recognition of the Indigenous custodians of this country. The VCOSS vision is also one where as a community, we have reconciled all injustices with Indigenous Australians.

VCOSS has completed a report which provides a brief overview of historic and contemporary factors impacting on Indigenous communities. The information provided is not exhaustive, but is intended to provide an overview and context for the experience of Indigenous children and young people. View the report.

Working with Aboriginal controlled organisations is integral to VCOSS work. In June 2006, VCOSS hosted a roundtable discussion with the CEOs and Presidents of the following Aboriginal controlled peak and statewide organisations: Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA), Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd (VACSAL), Victorian Aboriginal Controlled Community Health Organisation (VACCHO), Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc (VAEAI) and the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) - (a representative from the Aboriginal Housing Board of Victoria was unable to attend).

At this discussion, a range of priorities were identified, including the need to focus on both strengthening the capacity of Aboriginal-controlled organisations and improving the cultural practice of generalist/mainstream organisations.

Through VCOSS’ facilitation and as input into the VCOSS A Fairer Victoria (AFV) Project, the Aboriginal statewide and peak organisations developed A framework for AFV - Indigenous Victorians: A plan for action. This document outlines a framework for creating ‘A Fairer Victoria’ for Aboriginal communities, based on the key principles on which those organisations are founded.