We invite you to an evening in discussion with the three key representative bodies leading the way forward on Truth-telling and Treaty.
It’s a pivotal time, with formal Treaty negotiations beginning with the State of Victoria and as we draw closer to the Yoorook Commission’s final report.
With Treaty on the horizon, we’ll be discussing the role of each organisation, what will be the focus activity in 2025 and how all allies can walk with them. Our guests are:
Reuben Berg Co-Chair, First Peoples Assembly of Victoria
Duean White Member of the Treaty Authority
Travis Lovett Commissioner at Yoorook
Read more about the speakers below.
Leaders of ally organisations, community groups and others interested in getting involved and continuing allyship for First peoples of Victoria are encourage to join us for this free forum.
67 Brunswick St, Fitzroy, Victoria.
ONLINE: At this stage, registration is only for in person attendance, with a livestream or broadcast still to be confirmed.
Light food and refreshments from 6PM.
Accessible room and facilities provided. Limited on street accessible parking is close by.
Rueben Berg is a proud Gunditjmara man, and a Co-Chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria (the Assembly).
He sits on the Assembly representing the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation – a Traditional Owner group of south-western Victoria. The Country and Waters of the Eastern Maar stretch to Ararat and encompass Warrnambool, Port Fairy
and areas of the Great Ocean Road. Rueben has strong connections to Thangang-poonart (Hopkins Falls) and the Framlingham Aboriginal community.
As an elected Co-Chair of the Assembly, Rueben plays a pivotal role in representingthe diverse voices and aspirations of First Nations communities in Victoria. With a deep commitment to advancing the rights and interests of First Nations people, Rueben is passionate about ensuring Treaty delivers Aboriginal communities the power and tools to develop and deliver practical solutions at a local level.
Duean is a Biripi woman (NSW) and former consultant who has worked across the corporate, government, not-for-profit and community-controlled sectors.
Her qualifications include law, business (Senior Executive MBA), leadership and coaching, training, career development and corporate governance (AICD graduate).
Duean has significant dispute resolution expertise as a nationally accredited mediator and is an experienced facilitator, coach and trainer. Before joining the Treaty Authority, she served as a panel mediator with the Victorian Small Business Commission, the Commission for Gender Equality and the Native Title list of the Federal Court and was a member of the Review Panel for the Victorian Stolen Generations Reparations Fund. She has been a non-executive director of various government and community boards.
Travis Lovett is a proud Kerrupmara/Gunditjmara man and Traditional Owner and the Deputy Chair and Commissioner of the Yoorrook Justice Commission who has spent his life advocating for truth and justice for First Peoples.
He is passionate about practicing his Culture, working with Community and preserving Aboriginal languages.
Travis has held senior leadership roles in the Victorian Public Service, including as Executive Director and Acting Deputy Secretary, First Peoples State Relations, at the Department of Premier and Cabinet. He played key role in supporting Victoria to progress and implement Treaty and Truth telling.
He has also worked extensively supporting the rights of Traditional Owners across Victoria and in the protection of cultural heritage.
Prior to working for the Victorian Public Service, Travis also held senior roles with Aboriginal Victoria, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Court Services Victoria, and the Department of Justice.
Travis played a key role in the establishment and reform of the Magistrates’ and Children’s Koori Courts across the State of Victoria as the Manager of the Koori Courts.
In 2017, Travis was awarded the Young Indigenous Leader Scholarship by the Institute of Public Administration of Australia.