I acknowledge all Nations, Clans and Traditional Owners, all our ancestors, our elders past, present and emerging. I give immense gratitude to the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrrung Nation for blessing me with their beautiful country where I have worked and lived for over 50 years.
I am a proud Gunditjmara and Bundjalung woman. I honour the stolen generation survivors , my dear mum Myrtle Roach / Austin and my Uncle Archie Roach — our beloved songman.
I was the Interim Chair of the Elders’ Voice and Co-Chair of the Yurpa Cultural Governance Committee. I am staunch and raised grassroots in Collingwood / and Ole Fitzroy. Cultural Lore and Cultural Respect must be at the forefront of any Treaty negotiations. I will continue to advocate, negotiate and fight hard for the inherent rights of us all.
Self determination means we decide how to represent ourselves and I want to make sure that there are more nations at the table. I make the commitment to get the job done. I am grateful to be trusted once again to represent Melbourne Metropolitan (Narrm).
Member Updates
March 2024 — Meeting of Assembly at Lakes Entrance
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.
