Member update not submitted.

Tracey Evans- Proud Gunditjmara Bundjalung representing Melbourne Metro Region

Recent work priorities:

I enjoyed the recent June chamber at Gariwerd on my traditional country. It was so nice to immerse myself and be grounded. There is no greater feeling than being on your own country where my ancestral ties are. It was just what I needed as we go into a very busy period.

I have actively been promoting where the treaty journey is at building on from the foundational work that I’ve been a part of as a second term member of the Assembly. In all spaces of my working, personal and professional life treaty and assembly comes up and the overwhelming theme is that our allyship is growing and I am being asked is ‘ how can we support you and the Assembly’.

The community continues to be curious ask questions and hold us accountable and this is and always will be important to me as an elected member. I have three social media channels where I share what the Assembly is doing what events are being held across the regions. I have been sharing that negotiations are progressing and that our people’s thoughts and voices are still valid, relevant and important.

I have engaged in guest speaking within the justice system and within the corporate sector. I continue to make myself available to my family and community to answer any of the tough questions. I am always available for a yarn or to guest speak.

My focus over the next few months will be to absorb myself in the work of the Assembly by providing my strategic experience, government expertise, cultural knowledge, skills and experience as a tough negotiator that has won many fights for my people in the areas that I have worked.

I promise to fight hard!

Engagement activities:

My engagement activities have been in the government and corporates worlds. One on one engagement with community members has also been my focus.

Insights:

Community is wanting to understand the elements of negotiation and what it means for them. I am also hearing that housing still remains a big issue along with mental health support for our young ones.

Implementation:

I will ensure that I elevate these issues in the assembly along with what else I am hearing from my people. These issues will stay at the forefront of any of the negotiations in the future. I will seek to understand more about what is happening in the space of mental health for youth and our people and what housing stock is available to our people with all the housing announcements being made.

Looking ahead:

I will remain committed and on track to listen to my people and support my fellow assembly members in the region. I will provide strong leadership. I am also looking forward to my Traditional Owner Group- Eastern Maar progressing our treaty – our inherent right.

Feel free to reach out if you wish to connect. I’m waiting to hear from you.

I am a general seat holder representing Melbourne Metropolitan Region. I have been attending Assembly meetings to support the Treaty journey ensuring the community voices are being heard and represented in all activities/ meetings of the Assembly.

The key messages I have been hearing from the community is that there needs to be a greater investment in mental health, wellbeing and healing for our people. The community has been going through a lot of sorry business and there is not enough support services available.

I have also heard from youth that there is no significant youth organisation in the metro region that provides wrap around support services. Wait lists for mental health and wellbeing services are long and are not fit for purpose to support Aboriginal youth and I will provide a greater advocacy in this area to ensure the needs of our community our met.

I have also been hearing of local governments failing in supporting our local communities and Traditional Owner voices are not being heard in all areas of local government work. This is another area that I will seek to see a real change under treaty negotiations upcoming.

I make myself available at all times to community members in my region and promote all assembly activities on my three social pages including my LinkedIn profile.

I attended an International Women’s Day Rally in March and was a keynote speaker on treaty/ the fight of Aboriginal women and the resistance and resilience of our matriarchs. The rally was run by Trades Hall and attended by staunch unionists. I actively engage with this sector to ensure solidarity for the Assembly.

Over the coming months I will actively participate and engage in all committee meetings of the Assembly to ensure I am fully informed. I will support the other members of the Assembly in the work being lead from other members. I will make myself available to attend engagement activities or provide strategic advice where necessary.

The next three to six months will be busy and I look forward to the journey ahead keeping my community at the heart of every conversation. As a strong leader and contributor to the business of Treaty I will fight for what we deserve and seek as a community.

Table of Attendance

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As a Traditional Owner of the Eastern Maar Nation, I proudly represent the Melbourne Metropolitan Region with a diverse and welcoming home for many of our people from many nations. I acknowledge my other bloodline of the Bundjalung people, NSW. I respectfully acknowledge Wurundjeri for blessing me with their beautiful country where I live and work.

I have been engaging one of ones with community to discuss the next steps on the Treaty journey including what Treaty negotiations are and how I best can represent their aspirations in the process. I’ve spent time speaking with Elders and youth including members of my own family. I’ve engaged with community in the Hume Region where I live. I spend a lot of time engaging with the non-Aboriginal and multicultural community -so they can journey with us.

I’ve heard that community want be engaged and want to be heard. I’ve promoted the upcoming Statewide gathering which will be a pivotal moment for community to speak their truths and have a say on what matters to them.

My key messages to community-I will listen, acknowledge and respect all views and ensure that I advocate and represent. I am always available to connect with community to share my views, provide information and follow up on any questions. I’m just a phone call away if anyone would like to just yarn. My contact details are on the Assembly website.

I am always welcoming of invites to speaking engagements from small to large events.

I hope to see you all at Treaty yarning events round town over the coming months-come say hi and don’t forget the Statewide Gathering from 5th-7th April 2024 in South Geelong. Its sure to be a celebration of our cultural strength and unity. Look out for each other and protect the past- our Elders and protect the future- our kids.