Jenne Perlstein

`Since 1834, European colonists came to what is now known as Victoria, taking land, perpetrating violence, abuse and massacring local First Nations peoples. There were 38 Clans originally, each with their own society, language and way of living. There were treaties and agreements with neighbouring Clans who lived in a generally peaceful, well-functioning and stable society. But First Peoples also fought and defended their lands from the colonisers with the Frontier Wars.. often not well acknowledged. The ships arrive at the Bay – 1803 In February 1803 a convict ship, originally bound for Sydney, but the British official Lord Hobart decided it would go instead to ‘Port Phillip Bay’ – the centre of Kulin Country where Melbourne ( Naarm) now stands. Arriving on October 3rd 1803 Lord Hobart was disappointed in the landscape & they chose to sail to ‘Van Diemen’s Land’ –(‘Tasmania’). ‘Portland’ was founded on Gunditjmara Country (Victoria) by the Henty family in 1834 who were originally farmers from Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania). Colonists launched a war against local First Peoples to invade their Country. The Eumeralla wars lasted from the mid1830s up until the 1860s with the most intense period being between 1834 and 1844. First Peoples mostly employed guerrilla tactics and economic warfare against the livestock and property of the British colonists, occasionally killing a shepherd or settler.

My Colonizing Ancestors In 1835, Major Thomas Mitchell led an expedition to the region from Sydney arriving at Portland in August 1836, he found a small but prosperous Gunditjmara community living off the fertile land. My ancestry is linked to this event as my great -great- great grandfather Walter Blanchard, an ex-convict , was employed as a Black Smith for this expedition. Blanchard was issued with a gun and in Mitchell’s journal was mentioned as participating in a fight with a party of Aboriginal people. It is not hard to imagine what may have been inflicted by my own ancestor directly and violently upon the Gunditjmara peoples as part of this invasion and colonisation, given this information. Blanchard had been given his ‘’ticket of leave’ prior to this, along with land around the Hawkesbury River at Windsor in New South Wales. Thus, he was complicit in two areas of colonisation along with other ancestors of mine. These being my x4 great-grandmother Ann Germaine (Jarmy) who was a convict from the Third Fleet, married to a Second Fleet convict Samuel Howell who was likewise ‘given’ land on the Hawkesbury. They would have come into contact with local First Nations peoples with a mixture of collaborative relationships and violent interactions, encapsulated by the historical novel ‘The Secret River “ by Kate Grenville.

When I read this book, I was overwhelmed with emotion, recognising my ancestors complicity in injustice and colonisation , but impassioning me further in my allyship. I am complicit through my ancestors above (though oppressed convicts themselves), of colonisation, though their gained income from the land and the privilege of being white, along with destruction of First Nations peoples, culture and lands. This colonisation history, the same for every non- Indigenous person, whether convict , free settler or later migrant, is one that each person has to reckon & grapple with.

We must acknowledge that our wealth, homes, goods, lifestyle have arisen from dispossession, colonisation and ongoing systemic racism. Naarm upbringing. I was born, raised and lived most of my life on Wurundjeri land, in Naarm, growing up in Pascoe Vale South . In 1835 John Batman ‘founded’ what we now call ‘Melbourne’ after the creation of a supposed ‘treaty’ with the Wurundjeri leaders and coming from ‘Van Diemen’s Land’, having dispossessed, colonised and perpetrated genocide against First Peoples there. Businessmen including John Batman and John Pascoe Fawkner along with squatters, took land and established farms, towns with others , thus colonising almost all First peoples land land and established farms, towns with others , thus colonising almost all First peoples land in ‘Victoriantoria’ by 1851 . This complicity has carried through from my ancestors and has impelled me to be an ally of First Peoples for 40 years ( actively since 1983) with awareness of my white privilege, living on stolen land and carrying unconscious racism requiring continual self -reflection .I committed myself to First People’s rights advancement and to their communities, as they have no choice but to be First Peoples in identity, all of the time.

Trust and relationship is paramount and I vowed to choose to be an ally, and not to walk away, despite that being privileged I have . Proudly First People’s in Victoriantoria have survived and continue to show resilience, strength and positive communities in their struggle for their rights, despite this colonisation. Impacts of colonisation on First Peoples are relentless and every day. From Indigenous friends over many years (in addition to media accounts , multiple Government and ACCO reports, commissions, research, survey findings of the impacts of racism and colonisation), I continuously hear narratives of racism, labelling, stereotyping, ‘you aren’t dark enough’ . These are some Personal experiences.

My ex-partner is a First Nations person. I was involved directly with two incidents occurring with him in East Gippsland 1997. 1.Being pulled over in my car as I was driving ,by police, for breath testing at night, my partner in the passenger seat. I could see and feel my partners palpable physical withdrawal of fear, as the police officer looked in ,looked at him, spoke to me and breath tested me ( I passed ) . No ‘overt’ racism occurred, but the reaction of my partner told me all. I wonder ‘what if’ he had been driving and I was not there, what else may have occurred? 2.On the same trip in a country town, walking around with my partner, myself as overtly ‘white’ and my partner overtly a ‘black First Nations man’. We both could sense the stares, the questioning looks, the hurried body language indicating ‘what is a white woman doing with a black Aboriginal man? ‘ . We both perceived this. We grabbed our lunches and left .The racism was again palpable. I experienced it Victoria for a few minutes… my partner for a lifetime. Political and systemic impacts The impacts of colonisation that especially stand out for me are the disproportionate numbers of First Nations people in gaol and the disproportionate numbers of First Nations children in Out of Home care. Social Workers, of whom I am one, were complicit in the past with such removal ( and continue along with other Child Protection practitioners ) . In this day and age this appalling clear evidence of racism, impacts of colonisation is shameful, and along with all the Closing the Gap disparities, must be addressed.

The Yoorook commission shows us the Truth of this, the Treaty is the beginning of self-determination and negotiations to address these appalling inequities. Given that First Nations peoples have been on the lands of ‘Victoria’ for at least 65,000 years plus, the massacres, the land taken, the destruction of food sources, culture, language and the Protectorships which divided families, and gave rise to the stolen generation, this colonisation was genocide.

Throughout my school education, apart from one book in English, and 99% of my University education, First Nations history and culture was not a part of the curriculum. The only place it was discussed in Year 10 was though the book the Fringe Dwellers by Nene Gare. There were class discussions, where I recall sadness and a sense of hopelessness, and some critique of racism, but minimal about First Peoples resilience and strength ,nor the systemic racism and colonisation that brought the characters circumstances about. It could not be called comprehensive. My political upbringing, membership of a political party, progressive religious and University groups, Aboriginal rights solidarity groups, including, DONT(Defenders of Native Title) later Antar Victorian, Reconciliation Victoriantoria, watching movies such as Jedda, TV series Women of the Sun and many other similar more profound films, art, dance, museums, books etc and Social Work professional development , were far better educative experiences compared to my formal education. Some progressive Church people I knew visited places such as Cape York and then educated people from a social justice perspective consequently . Education came from discussion groups, self-education with allies and activism. In 1988 when a University student group held a large Anti – Bicentennial conference, I was part of the planning group with many First Nations peoples from Victoriantoria and other states including Robbie Thorpe, Gary Foley and others, as key speakers.

They were strong mentors shaping this pivotal experience leading onto my participation in the anti-Bicentennial rallies in Sydney. Education about First Nations history and culture as developed and changed to some degree, but inconsistently and superficially. For example, my younger family members know what ‘Country ‘they live/d on, recognise the Aboriginal flag, have some awareness of the racism towards First Peoples and supported The Voice, but they are more the exception than the rule. One member of my younger family has certainly been deeply educated in the Teach for Australia course, and this is significant change. As a tutor in an Indigenous Peoples subject in a Masters course at University , the knowledge contained in both in essays and verbally from students, indicates a paucity of knowledge, critique and awareness of Victorian First Nations history and culture. Most are not aware of the Treaty Process, much less the Yoorook Commission . Thus core Indigenous studies need to be included in all education with particular further reach into all University and TAFE courses.

In the following ideas, I pay utmost respect to First Peoples and the First Peoples members of the Yoorook commission and the FPA Victoria. Many of these ideas are already in process and continuing to be advocated for. I don’t to want to appear to be a non- Indigenous person telling First Peoples their business or how to undertake strategies or continue to strive for outcomes, where many are already thought of or ‘in train’ whether by First Peoples or Governments. Rather my aim is to state the gaps as I see them and ‘walk beside’ recognising that the 1% of Victorian First Nations people (ABS 2022) cannot undertake all the role of education of the non-Indigenous community, nor all the advocacy for First Peoples rights alone, especially Treaty and the Yoorook commission recommendations, in the non Indigenous communities.. 3.What changes would you like to see in Victoria to promote better understanding and respect for First Peoples cultures? 1. Education System • Indigenous studies to be taught in education from childcare /kindergarten, primary and secondary school as compulsory core ‘subjects’ in every year. Integrated into all subjects e.g. STEM subjects looking at the 65000+ years scientific, engineering, farming knowledge of First Peoples. Subjects to include necessary social justice and decolonising ideologies, the history of Australia from a First Nations perspective, culture historically, politically and contemporarily. The Curriculum resources are already developed by various First Peoples & National Curriculum bodies experts as well as Teacher resources to build skills in undertaking this teaching. • In schools education, teaching of relevant First Peoples language in each year level and school, as resources permit. ( I acknowledge First Peoples language teachers are a limited resource ,but some basic Woiwurung or relevant Kulin language could be a core part of all teacher training, guided by First Peoples language experts. ) • To include visits to Traditional Owner and Gathering Places, with use of First Nations educators including language teachers. Key components to include contemporary First Nations rights, political issues, addressing privilege, ‘whiteness’, racism, Uluru Statement for the Heart, Truth Treaty Voice and their fulsome meetings and implications. 2. The continuation of the Treaty and Truth process regardless of the political party that is in Government. • Insertion into the Victorian Constitution and any other Parliamentary legal means possible to achieve this. • That the recommendations of the Yoorook Justice commission are embedded into Victorian government policy in all Ministries, Departments & Authorities, to underpin current and future policy development and Treaty agreement. If there is change of Government, allies will need to advocate for inclusion. • As recommended by the First Peoples Assembly, ‘normalisation’ the Treaty process via the various community and social media strategies suggested in other parts of this submission. 3. That resources including staffing, be allocated by the Victorian Government First Peoples Relations Department in collaboration with FPA to enable Treaty and Yoorook outcomes and recommendations to be further widely distributed through the community via a social media & media campaign including e.g. Instagram, Tik Tok etc ,video , websites, podcasts, press releases. The above supplemented by a Community Education program development and implementation, auspiced by First Peoples and in partnership with possibly Reconciliation Victoria, using a ‘Train the Trainer’ model to offer Treaty & Yoorrook education workshops for non-Indigenous Victorians. These to include resources that are adaptable, created for a range of audiences and time length, for diverse communities eg youth, older people, ethnic /religious groups ,businesses etc. This especially targeted into the outer suburban rural and regional areas. This could utilise non-Indigenous volunteers from Reconciliation Victoria/ ANTAR Victorian and other local Ally groups, as a partnership- collaborative arrangement between FPA (and Yoorook Commission, as relevant ) and e.g. Reconciliation Victoria. (Note this this occurred in a smaller way with the early stages of Treaty development as Education was undertaken around Victorian ) . A significant marketing campaign would be needed to promote the workshop /talks (linked with above Social media). These workshops/talks, by volunteers be publicised as available to talk with community groups ,sporting clubs, aged groups, ethnic communities , Neighbourhood Houses, workplaces etc ( similar to the Yes campaign ). These would complement the education /events offered by FPA. 4.Fundraising, if appropriate, to be undertaken by Allyship groups and other Victorians through donation to FPA.

1. To follow FPA principles for Friends of Treaty – collaborate, educate, advocate activate with a focus on normalising the Treaty PROCESS, and advocate for all the offered ideas in Q3.2 and 3.3 and 3.4 above i.e. :- 2. Advocate for the continuation of the Treaty and Truth process regardless of the political party that is in Government, 3. To participate in the extensive Marketing Media & Social media campaign about Treaty and Yoorook Commission recommendations via promotion and Fundraising for FPA Victoria. IN ADDITION: – 4.Participate in a Community Education development and implementation auspiced by First Peoples ( and Reconciliation Victoria with a ‘Train the Trainer’ model to offer Treaty & Yoorrook education workshops for non-Indigenous Victorians. See 3. 3 above 5.Non-First Nations Victorian need to educate themselves without burdening First Nations peoples through seeking out knowledge via online resources. e.g websites eg FPA , Yoorook ; subscribe to FPA and Yoorook and other ACCO’s; campaigns such as Deadly Stories; films, videos, books, museums, workshops, seminars, lectures. Thence, starting conversations with family friends, schools’ clubs about racism, giving Close the Gap statistics as a starting point e.g. the shorter lifespan, disproportionate rates of incarceration and children in out-of-home care. Encourage their communities to pledge as allies to the FPA Treaty Pledge following the principles of collaborate, educate, advocate and activate 6.Join Allyship groups such as Reconciliation Victorian and Antar Victoria local groups , post Referendum Yes groups eg First Nations Justice Wills. Undertake volunteer work, e.g. at Coranderrk, Gathering places such as Mullum Mullum, . Be ready to listen to and to respond to FPA whenever they require non Indigenous allies to activate. 7.Link with networks, all MP’s Ministers, Victorian political opposition especially but all MP’s with letters, email , submit in support of implementing the Yoorook commission recommendations and continued progression & support of the Treaty process.

1. To follow FPA principles for Friends of Treaty – collaborate, educate, advocate activate with a focus on normalising the Treaty PROCESS, and advocate for all the offered ideas in Q3.2 and 3.3 and 3.4 above i.e. :- 2. Advocate for the continuation of the Treaty and Truth process regardless of the political party that is in Government, 3. To participate in the extensive Marketing Media & Social media campaign about Treaty and Yoorook Commission recommendations via promotion and Fundraising for FPA Victoria. IN ADDITION: – 4.Participate in a Community Education development and implementation auspiced by First Peoples ( and Reconciliation Victoria with a ‘Train the Trainer’ model to offer Treaty & Yoorrook education workshops for non-Indigenous Victorians. See 3. 3 above 5.Non-First Nations Victorian need to educate themselves without burdening First Nations peoples through seeking out knowledge via online resources. e.g websites eg FPA , Yoorook ; subscribe to FPA and Yoorook and other ACCO’s; campaigns such as Deadly Stories; films, videos, books, museums, workshops, seminars, lectures. Thence, starting conversations with family friends, schools’ clubs about racism, giving Close the Gap statistics as a starting point e.g. the shorter lifespan, disproportionate rates of incarceration and children in out-of-home care. Encourage their communities to pledge as allies to the FPA Treaty Pledge following the principles of collaborate, educate, advocate and activate 6.Join Allyship groups such as Reconciliation Victorian and Antar Victoria local groups , post Referendum Yes groups eg First Nations Justice Wills. Undertake volunteer work, e.g. at Coranderrk, Gathering places such as Mullum Mullum, . Be ready to listen to and to respond to FPA whenever they require non Indigenous allies to activate. 7.Link with networks, all MP’s Ministers, Victorian political opposition especially but all MP’s with letters, email , submit in support of implementing the Yoorook commission recommendations and continued progression & support of the Treaty process.