In late April, the Reconciliation Victoria team were invited to attend the VEC Youth Cultural Leadership Camp 2023 in Mt Evelyn.  The weekend brought together Victorian Aboriginal and Māori youth and Elders to spend a weekend steeped in cultural practice, sharing and learning facilitated by the Victorian Electoral Commission’s Aboriginal Inclusion Officers, Jeremy Nikora and Anahera Neho.  

The camp began with a Welcome to Country from Mandy Nicholson and the Djirri Djirri Dance group. An inspiring discussion was led by young Aboriginal leaders from the Djirri Djirri group, who shared the with us the strength of young peoples’ voices and the importance of finding pride in your identity.  

The Rec Vic team, Ops Manager and Projects Officer, spoke to the group about the work of Rec Vic and our facilitator role in elevating First Peoples voices across Victoria. We shared the Your Vote Your Voice video series produced in collaboration with the VEC, which highlighted the voice of young people and spoke about the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation in leadership.  

We then had the privilege of a visit to Coranderrk cemetery, the resting place of William Barak and many other Victorian Aboriginal changemakers, where Mandy shared stories about the history and significance of the site.  

Thank you to the VEC, Jeremy and Anahera and all those involved for including Rec Vic in such a powerful weekend of sharing and connection in such a beautiful location on Wurundjeri Country.