Some useful links
Koorie Heritage Trust Inc
The Koorie Heritage Trust Inc is a not-for-profit Aboriginal community organisation that aims to protect, preserve and promote the living culture of Aboriginal people of south-eastern Australia.
Koori Mail
Koori Mail is produced fortnightly and is distributed Australia-wide, providing news, views, advertisements and other material of vital interest to Indigenous Australians and Australians interested in Indigenous affairs.
Aboriginal Affairs Victoria
Aboriginal Affairs Victoria and La Trobe University have formed a partnership to help close the gap and increase Aboriginal people’s formal education in cultural heritage.
www.aboriginalaffairs.vic.gov.au
Indigenous Leadership Network Victoria
Promotes leadership activities, strengthen leadership opportunities, build leadership capacity, support leaders and build on existing Indigenous leadership initiatives in the Indigenous community.
Kinaway
Kinaway is the Victorian Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce based in Melbourne. Victorian Aboriginal businesses and Entrepreneurs now have a collective voice through Kinaway.
The Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD)
The DPCD is responsible for managing the state’s planning system and building stronger communities.
VIYAC
Viyac is a state-wide network of volunteer Indigenous young people between 12 and 25 years who provide a voice to government and community on issues of importance to them.
Reconciliation Australia
Reconciliation Australia is an independent, not-for-profit organisation that was established in 2000 by the former Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. We are the peak national organisation building and promoting reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians for the wellbeing of the nation.
Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Victoria
Provides legal help to Aboriginal women, men and children who are victims or survivors of family violence and sexual assault. The main legal problems FVPLS deals with are intervention orders, family law, child protection, victims compensation. FVPLS also run wellbeing workshops for young Koori women around Victoria.
The Department of Human Services (DHS)
DHS is committed to making a positive difference for Victorians most in need through the provision of housing and community services.
The Victorian Aboriginal legal Service Co-operative Limited (VALS)
VALS was established as a community controlled Co-operative Society in 1973. VALS plays an important role in providing referrals, advice/information, duty work or case work assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the State of Victoria. Solicitors at VALS specialise in one of three areas of law, being Criminal Law, Family Law and Civil Law.
Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)
FaHCSIA’s purpose is improving the lives of Australians by creating opportunities for economic and social participation by individuals, families and communities. What We Do, About our Secretary, our Organisation Chart and our Strategic Framework give information about our work, structure and the objectives of the Department.
The Department of Justice
The Dept of Justice encompasses police; courts; prisons; emergency services; regulation of gaming, racing, liquor licensing and trade measurement; and victims’ services. The department’s activities also cover the drafting of legislation and the administration of various tribunals and programs to protect citizens’ rights.
Ngwala Willumbong (Pitjantjatjara for “Dry Place”) Co-operative Ltd
Has been a key service provider offering specialist alcohol and drug residential rehabilitation and outreach support services to the Aboriginal communities of Victoria since 1975. Ngwala has developed and will continue to develop appropriate alliances and partnerships with specialist alcohol and drug agencies to foster best practice in service delivery.
Aboriginal Hostels Limited
Funded by the Commonwealth Government and provides temporary accommodation services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Aboriginal Hostel Limited has provided temporary accommodation services since 1973.
How to get a Confirmation of Aboriginality
AIATSIS Family History Unit is not able to comment on, prove or provide confirmation of anyone’s Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Heritage. Your Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage is something that is personal and you do not need a ‘letter of confirmation’ to identify as an Indigenous person, However you may be asked to provide a confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander form or letter when applying for Indigenous-specific services or programs.
www.aiatsis.gov.au/fhu/aboriginality.html
The Department of Health
The Dept of Health’s core objective is to achieve the best health and wellbeing for all Victorians. This is accomplished through planning, policy development, funding and regulation of health service providers and activities which promote and protect Victorians’ health.
Family History Tracing
National Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Family History Unit, offers assistance with tracing Indigenous heritage.
http://www.coraweb.com.au/abor.htm
The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS)
VAHS was established in 1972 to address the specific medical needs of Victorian indigenous communities. The organisation has expanded steadily over past 30 years to provide a comprehensive range of medical, dental and social services for our community.
The Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages
Was established in 1994 to address the issues of language loss and is the state body responsible for coordinating Community Language Programs throughout Victoria. These programs are run in local communities that report regularly back to VACL. The Corporation is focused on retrieving, recording and researching Aboriginal languages and providing a central resource on Victorian Aboriginal Languages with programs now looking at educational tools to teach the Indigenous community about language.
The Koori Business Network (KBN)
The Koori Business Network is the Victorian Government’s lead agency in the growth and promotion of Aboriginal business development. KBN provides targeted support to Victorian Aboriginal businesses and entrepreneurs. This support is delivered through a range of programs and services in both regional and metropolitan Victoria.
www.business.vic.gov.au/kooribusiness
Family Relationships Online
Provides all families (whether together or separated) with access to information about family relationship issues, ranging from building better relationships to dispute resolution. It also allows families to find out about a range of services that can assist them to manage relationship issues, including agreeing on appropriate arrangements for children after parents separate.
www.familyrelationships.gov.au
Indigenous Careers & Employment
A new Indigenous Owned, Indigenous Staffed and operated careers site, connecting Indigenous candidates and people with Indigenous expertise and potential employers.
The Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
An innovative Internet resource that aims to inform practice and policy in Indigenous health by making research and other knowledge readily accessible. In this way, the HealthInfoNet aims to contribute to ‘closing the gap’ in health between Indigenous and other Australians.
MoneyHelp
Provides free financial advice and counselling for Victorians who are experiencing difficulty paying their mortgage or rent, or are facing job loss.
Centrelink
An Australian Government statutory agency, delivering a range of Commonwealth services to the Australian community.
Victoria Law
A new not-for-profit website that helps you find easy to understand information about the law and legal services in Victoria.
Council of Single Mothers and their Children
CSMC is a statewide community organisation run for and by single mothers and their children. We provide telephone support and counselling, referral, advice and emergency relief to single mothers throughout Victoria, and have over 2100 single mother members.
Quit Victoria
The Quit Victoria website with information on how to quit smoking.