Una Allender
Una Allender has learned a lot about the colonisation of Victoria and its impacts on First Peoples through reading and conversations over the past 20 years. She criticises the lack of comprehensive First Nations history in her education and advocates for listening, supporting truth-telling and treaty efforts, and promoting Indigenous history and culture through education, festivals, and signage.
Submission Transcription
From wide reading and conversations with Indigenous and non-Indigenous people I have learned a lot over the last 20 years. My volunteer work with the Lake Bolac Eel Festival has been life changing. Prior to that, as a white girl growing up on what I now recognise as Djabwurrung Country, I was very ignorant.
At Lake Bolac High School in 1961/1962 I was taught that the Boolucburra people used to live here, that they had spears and boomerangs, but aren’t here any more. Ironically the school crest included an Aboriginal man clutching a spear along with a sheaf of wheat, a Merino ram and the lake (Lake Bolac). At neither Lake Bolac primary school nor Morongo Presbyterian Girls School, Geelong (1963 to 1964), was any mention made of First Nations people. I know education has improved in recent years, and certainly in Lake Bolac students from all year levels (including kindergarten) have some involvement with the Eel Festival
By listening By supporting First Nations people in their efforts to tell the true history of this country, and in their work towards Treaty
By listening By supporting First Nations people in their efforts to tell the true history of this country, and in their work towards Treaty
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Yoorrook for Transformation
Third Interim Report: A five-volume comprehensive reform report presenting evidence and findings on systemic injustices, and specific recommendations for meaningful change to transform the future.
Truth Be Told
An official public record that documents First Peoples experiences since colonisation, preserves crucial testimonies for future generations and creates an enduring resource for education and understanding.
Recommendations for change
Yoorrook Justice Commission’s recommendations for truth-telling, justice, and systemic reform in Victoria.
