I am Troy Austin, a proud Gunditjmara man raised in the inner suburbs of Naarm (Melbourne) by loving parents Pat and Jock Austin and my grandmother — affectionately known as Mummy Ella. I pay respects to all Elders, past and present, and thank them for their leadership.
Strong representative structures are crucial for Treaty. I will contribute experience to the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. I led consultations in 38 communities resulting in the creation of the Local Aboriginal Networks across Victoria. I’ve held roles at the local, state and national level, including Victorian Commissioner for ATSIC, President of the Fitzroy Stars Football and Netball Club, and membership to Premier Steve Bracks’ advisory committee and the Victorian Aboriginal Family Violence Taskforce. I’ve been Executive Officer of the North Metro Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee for almost 18 years. I was instrumental in the establishment of vital community bodies including Djirra and the Koori Youth Council.
In 2008 I led the revival of the Fitzroy Stars. I am rebuilding the Melbourne Aboriginal Youth Sport and Recreation Cooperative post the COVID-19 pandemic. Sport brings community together and helps our young people believe in themselves.
I am a passionate advocate for Aboriginal communities. I will continue the work of Elders who established Aboriginal organisations and fought for the rights of our people.
Member Updates
March 2024 — Meeting of Assembly at Lakes Entrance
I pay my respects to the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation and honour their Elders both past and present. I thank them for allowing me to live, work and play on their land and raise my family in Naarm.
My name is Troy Austin, I am a proud man of the Fighting Gunditjmara. I was born and raised in the Northern suburbs of Melbourne. I have been fortunate to witness the growth and achievements of many Aboriginal organisations from humble beginnings in Fitzroy. Our organisations are now considered among the best in their fields.
My community contribution commenced around 1985 when I decided it was my time to leave school and go to work with my dad, Jock Austin at the Fitzroy Stars Aboriginal Community Youth Club Gymnasium following the sad and untimely death of his brother and co-worker, my Uncle John ‘Longfella’ Austin.
Other positions I have held include the Tumbukka Regional Chairperson of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) representing western half of Victoria from the North West Metro Area up to Mildura and across to Portland. I was a members of Steve Bracks’s Premiers Advisory Committee and was instrumental in the establishment of organisations such as those now known as the Koorie Youth Council and Djirra. I became the ATSIC Commissioner of Victoria representing our State at the National level until the Howard Government closed ATSIC stripping our people of our voice at local, regional, national and even international levels after a mere 10 years of existence. I worked for Aboriginal Affairs Victoria and led consultations across Victoria to establish 38 Local Aboriginal Networks. I am currently the Executive Officer for the North Metro Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee, a position I have held since 2005.
I have a personal passion for the Fitzroy Stars Football and Netball Club dating back to 1978. I enjoy a game of Golf with my fellow members of the Indigenous Golf Association Victoria, and I follow the 2023 AFL Premiers the Collingwood Football Club.
Among the priority areas that I am focussed on include Youth Justice, Justice, Health, Housing, Education, Child Protection and Sport and Recreation. It is challenging to see Aboriginal Children in detention and the level of incarceration of Aboriginal community members breaks my heart. The recent report that only four of the targets in the Closing the Gap strategy are being met reinforced the need for Treaty/Treaties and calls for Aboriginal people to take control of portfolios that impact on our people. True self-determination means that Aboriginal people should be developing initiatives and strategies to address the needs of our community and we should be properly resourced to deliver spiritual, cultural, physical and emotional care of our people.
My engagement activities include attending the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria run community engagements. I believe that these engagements are important and provide the opportunity for community members to come together to discuss issues, engage with FPAV staff, Elected members and Traditional Owner representatives. I encourage the attendance at these events as it keeps community members informed and provides an opportunity for us members to engage and stay connected to the community and meet new people. I have had the privilege of hearing what is happening in people’s lives and what their thoughts are about the benefits or challenges that the concept of a Treaty presents.
My engagement activities have included yarns with community members at meetings and community events. It is promising to witness firsthand how invested community members are in the Treaty process. Community members understand that we are in the early stages of developing a Treaty with the State Government in Victoria, but they are eager to see the detail of what a Treaty will look like.
I look forward to hearing the enthusiasm of youth voices and the continued wisdom of Elders as we move towards the development of a Treaty in Victoria.
During my time with ATSIC I travelled throughout Victoria to hear the voices of Elders and other community members and what their thoughts were of a National Treaty. Our motto back then, in the early 2000’s was Treaty – Let’s Get It Right! That motto is still relevant today as we begin negotiations for State and local Treaties here in Victoria. We are all determined to get to a Treaty, and it is well and truly overdue, but I believe that we must get it right, as there may not be opportunities to rectify the Agreement in the future. What we negotiate today will impact our Children, Grandchildren and generations to come, “Let’s Get It Right”.
I support the structures that have been established by the inaugural FPAV members, they have set a strong foundation for the current structure and Governance of the FPAV and this has placed it on a solid position to strengthen our hand in negotiations with the State Government. The work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission and recently announced Treaty Authority provides greater clarity and transparency than anything that has preceded this current structure. The FPAV are 100 per cent committed to walking with our community and this continued at the recent Treaty Day Out event and the upcoming Statewide Treaty Gathering where we will listen intently to your thoughts and directions as well as share our personal and collective aspirations.
