Name: Zali Mifsud
Mob: Gunditjitmara
Region: Melbourne Metropolitan Region
Contacts details: 0434 022 388
Tell us about yourself?
I am currently studying a Bachelor of Business at Monash University. I am now working as an Assembly Election Officer however have previously worked in Indigenous engagement and education through Traditional Aboriginal Games.
What are you hoping to take away from the experience?
This is my opportunity as a young proud Indigenous woman to have a voice and identity in the election process. To encourage others within our community to have a greater understanding of the Treaty process and to emphasise the importance in history we are creating. To create new relationships with other Indigenous peoples across the state through a common interest and desire.
What interested you in this space? / What do you think Treaty can offer Aboriginal people?
I believe every Indigenous person not only in Victoria but the whole of Australia should be interested in this space. This is our opportunity to change our future as the Traditional Custodians of this land. Treaty offers us an opportunity to let the state government know what we as Indigenous people deserve. As well as create a better future for not only ourselves but the generations beyond us.
Name: Joseph Saunders
Mob: Gunditjitmara on my Father’s side and Monaro on my Mother’s side
Region: Melbourne Metropolitan Region
Contacts details: 0422 351 077
Tell us about yourself?
I’ve always had an interest in working outdoors on Country and learning the cultural practices of living on Country. I also love playing AFL, motor sports and food.
What are you hoping to take away from the experience?
What I’m hoping is that Treaty will be a way of coming together for me and others. To leave a footprint just like our ancestors, Elder’s and emerging leaders have done for us. So now it’s our time to leave a footprint for the younger generations. So, my daughter Eliza Saunders can see (and say) what my dad done for me and my generation
What interested you in this space? / What do you think Treaty can offer Aboriginal people?
It’s important because we have an opportunity to help and give back to our future generations, our children.
Name: Bobby Wise-Moore
Mob: Wamba Wamba
Region: I will be based at Bendigo District Aboriginal Co-Operative helping out with Bendigo and Surrounds
Contacts details: Work Mobile: 0439 075 708 or Work Landline (BDAC): 5442 4974
Tell us about yourself?
I’m a Proud Wamba Wamba man from North West Victoria, and work for community within the Bendigo Region (Dja Dja Wurrung). I have a passion for the work I do within my communities and my Family.
What are you hoping to take away from the experience? I’m hoping to get better outcomes for us as Aboriginal people and sense of belonging for our Tribes across Victoria.
Name: Pietta Trewin
Mob: Gurindji from Kalkurindji in Northern Territory
Region: I will be based at Ramahyuck Sale but will help out with the Gippsland Region
Contacts details: 0438 499 513
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Pietta Trewin; I am Gurindji and my mob come from a remote part of the Northern Territory, Kalkarindji commonly known as Wave Hill. I have lived in Victoria in Sale for the past 11years, and have enjoyed being part of this community. I have recently started working with Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation in their main office in Sale. I am really look forward to helping where I can.
What interested you in this space?
I am really look forward to getting on the road and meeting new people and to help spread the Treaty word.
Name: Casey Ritchie
Mob: Gunai/Kurnai
Region: I will be based at Gippsland & East Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative (GEGAC) but will help out with the Gippsland Region
Contacts details: Landline (GEGAC) 5150 0700
Tell us about yourself?
I am currently studying first year Bachelor of Laws at UNE. My passion lies within developing programs and projects that aim to improve Aboriginal health, education and overall wellbeing of our people.
What are you hoping to take away from the experience?
Confidence in knowing my community are informed and know their rights as voters for the First Peoples Assembly. At the end of the election process I would be pleased to know I have given my community every opportunity to participate in the Assembly elections.
What interested you in this space?
I have a passion working for my community and a treaty would mean a great deal to my mob. I know there are many in our community that don’t really understand what a treaty is, and what is happening at the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commission. One on the main reasons I am interested in this role is that I can share information about what is really going on in Victoria. And how they can make a huge difference in the course of our states history.
Full Name: Sarah Nalder
Mob: Wamba Wamba, Mutthi Mutthi
Region/ACCO: I will be based at Mallee District Aboriginal Services in Swan Hill. Helping out with the North West Region
Contact Details: 0428 615 226
Tell us about yourself?
I’m a proud Wamba Wamba, Mutthi Mutthi woman from Swan Hill in North West Victoria. My family inspire me to have an impact within our community.
My children inspire me to be a role model and make a difference for the upcoming and future generations. I’m the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer at Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS) in Swan Hill and will also be taking on this exciting role for the term of the election process.
What interested you in helping your local community get Assembly Election ready?
I enjoy getting out and about and yarning with people so being able to do that, as well as helping my mob understand the Treaty process. Ensuring they know the significance of this for our people and making sure they get an opportunity to have an input and a voice.
What are you hoping to take away from this experience?
Knowing I helped my community understand and be involved in such a huge opportunity for our people and culture. I’m hoping to also take away good connections with people I meet along this journey and have built stronger community relationships.
What do you think Treaty can offer Aboriginal People?
It can offer Recognition of our History, Cultural understanding, Human rights and give us a Voice. A path for us all to walk together. We in Victoria have an opportunity to concrete pathways and guidelines for the rest of the Australian states to follow.
Full Name: Karen Monaghan
Mob: Wathaurong / Dja Dja Wurrung
Region/ACCO: I will be based at Ballarat & District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC) at 5 Market Street Ballarat Vic. I will be helping out with the Ballarat and Surrounds Region.
Contact Details: 03 5331 5344
Tell us about yourself?
I am married and a mother of three and grandmother of four. I am a qualified Counsellor and I have been working at BADAC since 2005 and thoroughly enjoy working with my mob. I have worked as a HACC Manager, Family Services Manager and currently as a Stolen Generation worker. I have a deep passion for helping our people as much as I can.
What interested you in helping your local community get Assembly Election ready?
I am looking forward to helping our community get ready for Treaty discussions. I am also looking forward to building on my relationships and to meet more community members.
What are you hoping to take away from this experience?
To help the Traditional Owners have a voice and be heard (it's time).
Name: Doreen Austin
Mob: Gunditjmara
Region: I will be based at Gunditjmara Aboriginal Cooperative in Warrnambool
Contacts details: Landline 55591234 toll free 1800629729
Tell us about yourself?
I was the receptionist at Gunditjmara Cooperative before taking on this very important role. I was born and raised on Gunditjmara country and I’m a very proud Gunditjmara Woman. I’m passionate about my culture and ready to take on anything that involves our mob people and children. Bring on our future!!! Bring on Treaty!!
What are you hoping to take away from the experience?
Confidence that my community and mob are informed of their rights as voters and making sure mob and community are a part of the process.
What interested you in this space?
TREATY!!!! MY PEOPLE!!! MY CULTURE!!!
Treaty inspired me to take on this opportunity, I can’t wait to see the outcome. I hope for our sakes that we get a Treaty or treaties, for our people and mobs for the sake of our future and our children’s future. Our children are our future!!
Name: Haley Couzens
Mob: Gunditjmara
Region: I will be based at Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative in Geelong
Contacts details: 0448 273 856
Tell us about yourself?
Hi I’m Hayley Couzens a proud Gunditjmara woman, born and raised on Wathaurong Country. I have been an active member of Wathaurong for as long as I remember, I commenced working as a Receptionist approx. 8yrs ago and love working for my community and keeping it about community, I also have my partner and 3 children that are my life.
What are you hoping to take away from the experience?
I’m proud to be able the work in the community on the process of the First Nations Assembly and the Treaty process. Knowing that I have empowered the mob to use their voice to better our future generations.
What interested you in this space?
I think this will be beneficial for our future generations as this will undoubtedly empower the mob, to have a voice….something we have not had in our entire colonised history.
Name: Kasey Cooper
Mob: Yorta Yorta
Region: I will be based at Aldara Yenara in Shepparton
Contacts details: 0413 207 065
Tell us about yourself?
My name is Kasey Cooper, I'm a single mum and I have a 17 year old daughter. I was born and raised in Kyabram and work in Shepparton with Aldara Yenara, I am a proud Yorta Yorta woman.
What are you hoping to take away from the experience?
I am hoping to take away from this process more knowledge about our culture. And knowing I made a difference and being a part of his history making event.
What interested you in this space?
My interest with Treaty, is that it is very exciting and a long time coming. I think Treaty gives the Aboriginal people a voice that they desperately need. Someone who can tell the truth about our past, present and what we want for our future.
More Assembly Election Officer profiles to come...