My name is Barry Firebrace- Briggs. I am a proud Yorta Yorta, Ulupna man.
I grew up in Shepparton on country up until the age of 18 and then moved to Melbourne to pursue sporting, educational and working opportunities.
I have worked in a number of organisations notably Sport and Recreation, Aboriginal Sport Program, Aboriginal Victoria, Department of Premier and Cabinet, City of Whittlesea, Aboriginal Partnerships Officer and currently as a Koorie Education Support Officer.
From my experiences growing up on country and my career thus far, I have had the privilege of learning from my Elders and gaining an understanding of how government works to put myself forward for this position.
My passion is to positively impact the lives of our community and ensure that we are righting the wrongs of the past.
It is a great honour to be an Assembly Member working side by side with community developing a Treaty that will give us a voice.
Member Updates
March 2024 — Meeting of Assembly at Lakes Entrance
Barry Firebrace-Briggs, Metropolitan Member – Council member, Yoorrook Council Committee Chair. Yorta Yorta Ulupna, with connections to Djadjawurrung, Wamba Wemba, Wurundjeri.
Over the past few months, I have continued in my role as Chair of the Yoorrook Council Committee (YCC). We have met twice this year on the 23rd January and 20th February, to progress the Assembly’s planning and submissions for upcoming hearings.
I have met with the Yoorrook Commissioner to provide an update on our submissions and where possible to look for opportunities to strengthen the Assembly’s position in negotiating Treaty.
The Land, Water and Sky submissions were finalised and submitted to Yoorrook, which are now accessible to the public via Yoorrook’s website.
The Education, Health and Housing draft submissions have been distributed to YCC members for feedback. Once feedback has been provided a final draft will be sent to the Co-Chairs for final endorsement and submitted back to Yoorrook.
I am currently working with YCC and our Co-Chairs to finalise the date for the upcoming Land, Water and Sky Hearing. Once confirmed, we will notify all members to plan a collective mobilisation strategy.
Since the start of the new year, I have participated in several community engagement sessions organised through the Assembly and by myself.
- Barrbunin Beek Gathering Place
- Bubup Wilam Aboriginal Child and Family Centre
- Barengi Gadjin Land Council/Northwest (Council meeting)
- The Pavilion School – Preston
- Reservoir High School
At each community engagement session there has been a nervousness regarding what are the implications of non-bipartisan agreement and referendum results have on the progression of Treaty. What role will Treaty play in the day to day lives of Aboriginal people living in Victoria. What will be negotiated first and what is the connection between Yoorrook and the Assembly. Will a Treaty impact our current structures in our community and mainstream? Are we going to negotiate a Statewide or Traditional Owner Treaty first?
What powers will the Assembly hold and will there be a Black Parliament?
A large proportion of our community understand what Treaty is but there is a clear gap the Assembly needs to close and the only way to do that is to hold more community engagement sessions across metropolitan Melbourne.
I will be progressing the Assembly’s Yoorrook submission on Education, Health, and Housing. Following the submission YCC will be supporting members and the wider community throughout hearings.
I will be attending community engagement sessions and events such Treaty Day Out and Statewide Gathering. I will also continue to work with our students in schools located in Darebin and Yarra to build on their knowledge of Treaty.
If you require any further information, feel free contact me or if would like me to come out and have a yarn with you or our community, email Barryf@firtspeoplesvic.org
