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Lawrence is a proud Taungurung descendant born on Wamba Wamba Country in Swan Hill. Lawrence is a qualified Teacher and has undertaken a number of roles across Victorian State government from education, employment, justice, community capacity building, Corrections Victoria, land management, and Rail Projects Victoria. Lawrence was previously the Associate Director of Aboriginal Services (is this the correct title?) at Victoria Legal Aid. He has undertaken CEO roles for Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations and NSW Lands Councils, bringing community together for Self Determination and Reconciliation working to Close the Gap. Lawrence has also undertaken the role of Responsible Person for a Registered Aboriginal Party (Taungurung Land and Waters Council?) under the Victorian Cultural Heritage Act overseeing many cultural heritage management plans and the protection of cultural values on country. Lawrence is the currently the Co-chair of the Kinaway Chamber of Commerce.

John Gorton is a descendent of the Wotjobaluk people. He sits on various boards and committees, locally, regionally and statewide, including the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, West Division Regional Governance Committee and two local Reconciliation Action Plan committees. He is also a member of the Horsham Rural City Council’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee. John has spent the past 20 years working for Goolum Goolum Aboriginal Co-operative in various roles including Chairman and is recognised as an emerging leader within the Aboriginal community in the Wimmera. He is also a member of the Barengi Gadjin Land Council.

Bobby Nicholls is a proud Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Wadjabalok Elder who has been actively involved in community initiatives for most of his life. He has worked within government areas of justice, health and human services for over 20 years. Bobby is on the board of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service. He leads Wotha Daborra, a collective of Aboriginal organisations seeking to establish culturally informed holistic support services for Aboriginal Communities to live drug and alcohol free. Bobby was President of the Aborigines Advancement League, and a member of the Aboriginal Housing Board of Victoria. He served as a Director on the board of the Victorian Aboriginal Childcare Agency (VACCA) for 10 years, and is now a life member. Bobby is the co-ordinator for the Hume Indigenous Family Violence Regional Action Group. He is currently also an Independent Prison Visitor, part of the Yawal Mugadjina Elders Mentoring Program and continues to advocate for and work with Department of Health to establish a residential alcohol and drug detox centre for Aboriginal people in the Hume region. Bobby spreads community awareness through art and media. He was one of the founding members of Yarnin’ Pictures, which trains Aboriginal youth in the art of filmmaking while documenting Elders stories. He was also an Elder Advisor and promotor of the award winning First Nations walking tour app, Yalinguth. Bobby is currently President of Kaiela Arts.

Linda Bamblett is a proud Bangerang/ Yorta Yorta/ Wiradjuri Elder. She is a long-standing leader in the Northern Metropolitan region. Linda is CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association (VACSAL). She has worked at Bert Williams Aboriginal Youth Services as well as VACSAL Family and Children’s Services. Linda is involved in many committees and groups. She is a founding member of Yappera Children’s Services, the Chairperson of the Aboriginal Community Elders Services (ACES), Secretary of the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association (VAEAI), Treasurer of the Aboriginal Community Elders Service, and sits on the Board of the Fitzroy Stars Football club.  Linda is also Co-Chairperson of the Northern Metropolitan Dhelk Dja Regional Action Group (formerly the Indigenous Family Violence Regional Action Group - IFVRAG). Linda has been a member of the Aboriginal Justice Forum since it first met in 2000. In 2023, Linda was inducted into the Aboriginal Honour Roll for her ongoing dedication to justice reform and systemic change.

Darren Smith is a Palawa Trowerna man from the Pyemairrenner people in Tasmania. Darren has academic qualifications in law, engineering and public policy, with over 10 years’ experience working in a range of policy roles for the Victorian Government. He has worked in policy and program roles across the Aboriginal affairs, health, human services, planning and local infrastructure portfolios. Aboriginal Housing Victoria is a not-for-profit registered Housing Association and is the largest Aboriginal housing organisation in Australia. AHV’s mission statement is to see that Aboriginal Victorians secure appropriate, affordable housing as a pathway to better lives and stronger communities. Darren is a Board Member of the Council to Homeless Persons – an organisation in Victoria committed to ending homelessness.

Antoinette Braybrook AM is an Aboriginal woman who was born in Victoria on Wurundjeri country. Her grandfather and mother’s line is through the Kuku Yalanji, North Queensland. Antoinette was admitted as a legal practitioner in Victoria in 2004 and has been the CEO of Djirra (formerly the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Victoria – FVPLS Victoria) since the service was established in 2002. Djirra provides holistic, culturally safe and specialist legal and non-legal support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing family violence – predominantly women. In addition to Antoinette’s leadership in Victoria, she has held the elected position of National Convenor of the National Family Violence Prevention Legal Services Forum (National FVPLS Forum) since 2012.  She is also a member of the Victorian Indigenous Family Violence Partnership Forum and Ministerial Advisory Panel on Family Violence, and Co-Chair of Change the Record, Australia’s only national First Nations led justice coalition of legal, health and family violence prevention experts. Antoinette is also a member of the Aboriginal Executive Council. Among other awards, Antoinette received the 2015 Law Institute of Victoria: Access to Justice/Pro Bono Award, and was inducted into the Gender Justice Legacy Wall launched at the UN New York in 2017. In 2020, she was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women; was awarded Melburnian of the Year in 2022; was awarded the Member Order of Australia medal in 2023; and in 2024, was awarded a Deakin University Honorary Doctorate in recognition of her outstanding commitment to social justice, advocacy and service to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples over two decades, and her vision in establishing Djirra.

Adjunct Professor Muriel Bamblett Hon DLitt SW AO is a Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung Elder who has been the CEO of VACCA since 1999. She was also Chairperson of SNAICC, the peak body representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child and family services nationally, from 1998-2008. Muriel is active in over 30 advisory groups concerning the Aboriginal community, including the Aboriginal Treaty Working Group; Coalition of Peaks Joint Council on Closing the Gap; Aboriginal Family Violence Steering Committee; Victorian Children's Council; Aboriginal Justice Forum; and the Aboriginal Community Elders Service, to name just a few. Muriel has received numerous awards for her work including the Order of Australia; Centenary of Federation Medal; Robin Clark Memorial Award for Inspirational Leadership in the Field of Child and Family Welfare; Women’s Electoral Lobby Inaugural Vida Goldstein Award; and Victorian Honour Roll of Women. In 2009, she was made an Adjunct Professor in the School of Social Work and Social Policy La Trobe University. In 2017, Muriel was awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of Letters in Social Work by the University of Sydney in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Aboriginal child and family welfare. In 2019, Muriel received Australian Honours for her work in transforming and advocating for Aboriginal child welfare in Victoria and Australia. Muriel was elected as a member of the First People’s Assembly in 2019. In 2024, Muriel was honoured with the Person of the Year NAIDOC award.

James Atkison is a Yorta Yorta and Bangerang man employed as the CEO of the Aboriginal Community Elders Service (ACES). James’ was previously CEO of the Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative and Manager, Koorie Education with the Department of Education and Training.  James has a great deal of organisational experience and has served on Boards at a state and national level. He has been a VACCA Board Member for 21 years. He was one of the founding members of the first Victorian Aboriginal Youth Advisory Committee and a participant in the Koorie Leadership Program. James also contributes to the North Western Primary Health Network, as part of the Aboriginal Health Expert Advisory Group.

Geraldine Atkinson is a Bangerang/Wiradjuri warrior woman whose passion is the progression of Aboriginal people in education, with a focus on language and culture being taught in Victorian schools. Geraldine became President of the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. (VAEAI) in 1999, and has remained involved since. She is currently the Deputy Chairperson of the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC), and has served on the SNAICC National Executive since 1999. During her time working in Koori education, Geraldine has been critical to the establishment of numerous programs, including the Minimbah Adult Education Program, Lidje Child Care Centre, Batdja Kindergarten, and Lullas Family and Children Centre. In 2001, she launched Yalca Yalca, a partnership with Government regarding education and training for Aboriginal communities, alongside former Premier Steve Bracks. Geraldine is a Council Member of the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council, she is a board director of the Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited (VACSAL), and was a proud member of the Aboriginal Treaty Working Group. Geraldine is Co-Chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Council (NATSIEC). In 2020, her leadership in Aboriginal education was further recognised with the awarding of a Deakin University Honorary Doctorate Award; she also received the Lyn Kosky Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement in education at the 2020 Victorian Training Award. In 2018, Geraldine was inducted into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll. She recently concluded her term as the inaugural co-chair of the First Peoples Assembly in Victoria.

Bonnie Dukakis is a proud Gunditjmara woman, born and raised on Gunai Kurnai country and now residing and working on Wurundjeri country. She is driven by influencing change in current systems that impact young Aboriginal people. In 2015, Bonnie recognised through the Statewide Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee Award for Employment and Career Development. It is her goal to provide a platform to elevate the voices of those who may not have the strength or opportunity by listening to their stories and supporting them to be heard. Bonnie was part of setting up a residential program for Aboriginal men at risk of using violence and setting up support for the affected family members while the men were in the program. A senior advisor to the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People (CCYP) and the setting up of the CCYP Our Youth Our Way inquiry, looking at overrepresentation of young mob in the criminal justice system. From there to work directly in YJ custodial centres leading the Aboriginal Education Program and supporting young people transitioning from custody back to community around Education and employment pathways. Bonnie first became involved with Koorie Youth Court as a youth participant at the 2015 Koorie Youth Summit, and as of 2022, is now their Chief Executive Officer.

Zeta Thomson is a descendent of the Ulupna (of the Yorta Yorta) and Wurrundjeri Willum Clans, and a highly respected Elder who has been a tireless campaigner and advocate for her people all her life. Zeta is a renowned artist, a storyteller, cultural advisor, and advocate. She was the first Victorian Aboriginal painter to have work exhibited at Melbourne Museum's Bunjilaka Gallery, at a time when the Yorta Yorta land rights claim was going through the courts. Zeta was also a cultural advisor on the internationally renowned movie, The Sapphires.  Zeta has a lifetime of involvement in Aboriginal affairs at community level and travels throughout Victoria to deliver cultural teaching. She has been appointed as an Independent Prison Visitor for over 15 years and is also heavily involved in other cultural and healing programs and initiatives for Aboriginal adults and young people in the justice system, including as a cultural teacher at Worawa Aboriginal College and a member of the Worawa Aboriginal College Elders’ Council. She currently sits on both the Aboriginal Justice Forum as the IPV representative and the Aboriginal Advisory Committee for the IPV Scheme Zeta is also the Deputy Chairperson of the Eastern Metro RAJAC. In 2019, Zeta was inducted into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll for her ongoing advocacy for the rights of Aboriginal Victorians. Zeta’s support for Aboriginal youth in influencing the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement, Burra Lotjpa Dunguludja, is testament to her ongoing support to her community.

Ebony Hickey is a proud Gulidjan woman, who works in the Aboriginal Community Development space. This includes roles on Wathaurong Country in Geelong, Gulidjan Country in Colac and Gadubanud Country. Ebony is passionate about supporting Community and has contributed to various projects spanning the arts, parenting, family violence, healing and justice. Ebony played a key role with Aboriginal Community living on Gulidjan and Gadubanud Country in establishing and growing Caracaramigen House - the Colac Aboriginal Gathering Place. As Co-ordinator of the Gathering Place Ebony has advocated tirelessly for a new space for Community to gather and connect with the Gathering Place (will it still be known as Caracaramigen House?) set to re-open in July 2025 in new premises in Birregurra. Since 2020, Ebony has been Chair for the Barwon Dhelk Dja Action Group and has been part of that group since early 2017. Ebony is also a Director of the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation.

Lloyd Hood is a Kurnai elder who was born at Lake Tyers. He has been involved in many community and justice programs on Gunai Kurnai Country. He is an Elder and Respected Person on the Koori Court in Morwell and has been involved since the County Koori Court began operating in the Latrobe Valley in 2008. Lloyd plays a significant role as an elder, mentor and provider of cultural support to participants of Wulgunggo Ngalu Learning Place. Presently, he is working as the Water Team Leader for Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation. Lloyd became the Chairperson of the Gippsland RAJAC in 2020. He is also Chairperson for Latrobe Valley Men’s Place Aboriginal Corporation, a charity which launched in 2023.

Jemmes Handy is a proud Barkindji and Wiradjuri woman. She recently retired from her role as the Victoria Police Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer (ACLO) in Mildura after 17 years of service. Jemmes has worked in various roles with the local Aboriginal community for over 30 years. Jemmes has worked in the education sector on both sides of the river. Jemmes is well known for her work in health and justice services in the region where she has helped to develop culturally appropriate health and justice services. She is deeply involved in a range of community programs including the Hope holiday program for Aboriginal primary-school children, Aboriginal Community Justice Panel, Koori Night Patrol, Koori Scouts and Cubs, Neighbourhood Watch and East End Community House. Jemmes is also a Board Member for Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS). In 2007, Jemmes received the Excellence in Policing Family Violence Leadership Award. This was the first time a public servant and not a police member received this award. In 2015, she was awarded the Public Service Medal in recognition of her outstanding work in supporting the Aboriginal community, particularly young people, in both health and policing. In the same year she was also awarded the Children and Youth Award at the statewide Aboriginal Justice Awards. In addition to serving as Chairperson of the Loddon Mallee Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee, Jemmes is also Chairperson of the Mildura Local Aboriginal Justice Action Committee (LAJAC).

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Jill is a proud Gunditjmara woman from Western Victoria and is an accomplished strategic leader, championing the needs and self-determined outcomes of First Nations communities in Victoria. Jill has spent more than 27 years advancing Aboriginal health and wellbeing through her work with VACCHO and has over 30 years of experience in leadership roles. As a respected Aboriginal leader who has dedicated her life to advocating for Community, Jill has been inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women (2009), awarded the Order of Australia (2013), and inducted into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll (2015). From 2017 to 2019, Jill served as Victoria’s first Treaty Advancement Commissioner and led the establishment of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria. In recent years, Jill championed the establishment of the National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Ageing & Aged Care Council (NATSIAACC), Ied the Cultural Review of the Adult Correction System for the Department of Justice in 2022 and was an influential figure in Victoria's 'Yes' campaign in the 2023 Voice Referendum. In 2023 Jill received an honorary doctorate, Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, from the University of Melbourne.