Raylene Harradine, proud Dja Dja Wurrung, Latje Latje and Wotjobaluk woman and Member for the North West Region, has stepped down from the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.
She brought a breadth of knowledge and experience to the Assembly as respected leader with over 20 years of working in management positions in Aboriginal organisations and within the state’s health, justice and education sectors.
The Assembly will be holding general elections in May so Community can choose the people who will negotiate a state-wide Treaty with the Victorian Government.
Statement from Raylene:
“You get to a point in your life where you want to make a difference, and that’s why I decided to apply for the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.
It has been challenging, a major learning curve, and it has also enriched me in so many ways, professionally and personally.
At times, it was be difficult to fully understand the magnitude of the work we were doing – and it can be tiring. But there are also those ‘wow’ moments when you realise that what we do now will have an impact for the generations to come.
I am so proud of what we have been able to achieve, and I’d like to thank the other Assembly Members for their support and their hard work. Everyone brings their own strengths and their own lived experiences to the room.
Although I am stepping down, as I need to focus on other matters in the coming months, I will continue to walk with you on this journey and support the Treaty movement.
Treaty is a journey. This first term of the Assembly has been about building the foundations for Treaty making – and we did it. I’m really looking forward to seeing what the next round of Assembly Members achieve.
If you’re interested in being a voice for yourself and your community, I would encourage you to put your hand up as a candidate for the elections later this year.
You don’t know what you’ve got to offer until you’re there, it will enrich your life and open your world up. If you aspire to be a leader, it gives you the experience to sit at the table. And we need to have more voices at the table and people that are influencing the future generations.”
The nomination period for people to put their hand up to be a candidate in this year’s elections will be in April 2023.
Voting will take place during May and June 2023, with mob able to cast votes in person, online or in the post.
