I am a Blood Descendant from Ancestors across Dhudhuroa, Yorta Yorta, Barapa Barapa, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wamba Wemba, Wergaia and Wiradjeri through my Mother Nora Murray nee Nicholls and Stewart Murray JP, AM. I come from a long line of activists, leaders and warriors.
I support the existence and recognition of all Nations, Clans and Family Groups. I will assert the Human and Cultural and Treaty rights of all Peoples without fear or favour, and without red tape. I want to work to establish a Sovereign Elders Entity and Seats for all First Nations in Treaties Victoria.
The Assembly must be taken to the next level in its short existence in a rapidly developing and technical society.
I have 12 Children and 28 Grandchildren and Family is at the core of Treaty rights and benefits. I have diverse experiences in education, employment and training, Higher Education, cultural heritage, repatriations, native title, land justice and Treaty issues. I totally understand the local, regional, state and national relationships and issues.
I will fight for your rights and injustices against our Peoples.
Member Updates
June 2024 — Meeting of Assembly at Portland
Member update not submitted.
March 2024 — Meeting of Assembly at Lakes Entrance
I was born on The Island Balranald NSW on 2 September 1951. My father was John Stewart Murray JP; OAM (1922-1989) and my Mother is Norah Murray nee Nicholls (1928-2010). Through my Mother and Father, I am one of ten members elected in July 2023 for Metro (Naarm). I am a direct Multi-Clanned Descendant of First Nations Clans and Family Groups from Wamba Wamba & Dhudhuroa (Stewarts & Andrews), Yorta Yorta & Perrapa Perrapa & Wergaia & Wiradjeri (Atkinsons, Frosts, Robinson, Logan-Nicholls & Brown), and Dja Dja Wurrung (Girribong and Kitty & Emma Curr). I view my role as a State Representative on a Statewide entity with responsibilities and obligation to all our First Peoples without fear or favour. I have lived at differing times in my seven decades on The Island Balranald NSW, Camp Pell, Glenroy, Heywood, and Moama NSW and currently in Fawkner. I have twelve children and twenty-eight grandchildren. I am currently a Law Student at CDU and a part-time Assembly Member and writing several books on connection, Treaties, and Family.
The Assembly has now been operating since December 2019. Priorities are ensuring that the Assembly is inclusive and democratic, meaning that all credible First Nations must have the human right to self determination and a Reserve Seat on the Assembly without fear or favour. At the time of reporting no new Reserve Seats have been approved. Additionally, a priority has been to ensure the establishment of An Elders Entity with proper cultural authority and resources. Our First Nations communities demand that these two goals are achieved without oppressive rules and policies. Other priorities are to ensure that the Self Determination Fund is not another layer of bureaucracy.
In the eight months since my election, I have attended all Assembly meetings at Melbourne, Creswick, Bendigo, and San Remo as well as Yurpa and Treaty Committee meetings, two Yoorrook Roundtables, several Treaty Forums in Merri Bek Council area including a Treaty Forum at Fawkner and two Victoria University Treaty Forums at Ballerrt Mooroop in Glenroy, and spoke at the 2024 WAR Rally in the CBD before 50,000 People. I have also provided proactive technical support for Reserve Seat applications for several First Nations who have been excluded since 2019 from the Assembly. I am active in all my First Nations assisting with native title and RAP claims and the dynamics of Traditional Owner Gatherings, language, water policy and corporate entities. I have been actively participating in Merri Bek Council and the Ballerrt Mooroop Project which aims to establish a $70m+ Multi Functional Cultural Education, Medical, Sport and Astronomy Precinct on six acres of Crown land at 208A Hilton Street Glenroy on Woiwurrung Country. I have attended Native Title Meetings in Swan Hill and Melbourne. I have encouraged many of my Constituents and Networkers to enrol on the Assembly’s Electoral Roll to have a vote and determine their Treaty aspirations.
My Constituents insist and support the UN Charter and domestic human rights law for the Assembly to speedily ensure that all Excluded First Nations must be admitted to the Assembly without fail. Ditto the establishment of a Sovereign First Nations Elders’ Entity.
The path to inclusivity and establishing the Elders’ Entity as mandated by an inclusive Statewide Gathering of First Nations Peoples in February 2016 at Federation Square Zinc Conference Centre is to be progressed more proactively and vigorously. This is a cultural duty and obligation. Decisions and strategies of the past need to be reviewed on all matters impacting our People. My Constituents demand this.
Given State and Commonwealth Elections and the No Referendum Vote, the FPAV must show strong and proactive leadership without the shackles of oppressive rules and procedures, The cultural lens must be strongly focussed and firm substantive inclusive action our sacred duty. My constituents argue that there is a mentality of the “rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer out there” and this must change. This means greater transparency and openness about informing our Constituents to see how we make decisions, why and who is making those decisions impacting our Peoples. As for key priorities the first is getting templates scoped for First Nation and Statewide Treaties. This includes a template for Treaties between First Nations as well. The second is securing 30,000+ First Peoples on the FPAV Electoral Roll through existing corporations to continue the excellent engagement strategies. The third is to ensure all members are elected by their First Nations Peoples and not be a de facto ultra vires appointment from the State appointed Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council. The fourth is the establishment of a Committee to secure a Multifunctional Building to house the Assembly and related entities and programs.
My message to All of our People is that this is Our time and opportunity for our Ancestors, Descendants and Future Generations to shine and secure substantive Treaties across all Families, Clans, and Nations. The benefits derived from solidly negotiated Treaties must flow to Family Groups as the highest priority. Do not support the current structures that do not deliver inclusive memberships and services, breach your human rights, and deliver poor or exclusive outcomes. That is a cultural obligation we all must bear if the benefits are to be equitably shared across all Family Groups. Stand Up and Demand your Sacrosanct Right to Vote and be Included. That is your Human Right. Lastly, I thank the Staff and proactive Members for their support throughout my short term as elected Member of the First Peoples’ Assembly.
