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KEY ABORIGINAL ORGANISATIONS

For information about formally Recognised Traditional Owners visit First Peoples - State Relations' interactive map and search the Local Government Area name (e.g. LGA: Ballarat) or a street address. You can also refer to First Peoples - State Relations' Welcomes and Acknowledgements Protocol.

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Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) is the representative body for Wadawurrung Traditional Owners. The Wadawurrung are the seven family groups who are recognised under the traditional lore and custom as Wadawurrung and are descendants of John Robinson, their apical ancestor. Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation was appointed in May 2009 as a Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) under the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. The Corporation works to support their aspirations and protect Aboriginal Cultural Heritage across their Country. WTOAC is the statutory authority for the management of Aboriginal heritage values and culture, under the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act, 2006 of much of the municipality of Ballarat.

Email: admin@wadawurrung.org.au

Ph: (03) 4318 6333

Ballarat Office | 3/110 Creswick Road, Ballarat VIC 3350

Geelong Office | 86 Mercer Street, Geelong VIC 3320

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Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative

The Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC) was established by members of the Ballarat and district Aboriginal community in 1979. It became a co-operative to deliver health, social, welfare and community development programs to local Aboriginal people. BADAC is the Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation (ACCHO) for the Ballarat and district area, covering 4 local government areas (LGAs). BADAC's services are open to all members of the public, with priority given to BADAC members. For more information on any of the services/programs offered, call BADAC.

106-108 Armstrong St, North Ballarat VIC 3350

PO Box 643 Ballarat VIC 3353

Ph: (03) 5331 5344

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Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation

The Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DJAARA) is the representative body for Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples (Djaara). In 2008, through the Corporation, Dja Dja Wurrung People gained Registered Aboriginal Party status to further the fight to be recognised as the Traditional Owners of djandak (Country). After 15 years of intensive negotiations, the Corporation on behalf of the Dja Dja Wurrung People, and the Victorian Government signed the Recognition and Settlement agreement on 28 March 2013. The Agreement is a means by which Dja Dja Wurrung tradition and the unique relationship of Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples to djandak are recognised, strengthened, protected, and promoted, for the benefit of all Victorians, now and into the future. The Recognition and Settlement Agreement (RSA) package included a Land Use Activity Agreement, Malamiya (Cultural Heritage) maintenance by Dja Dja Wurrung Peoples and Galkungu (Joint Management) of six Aboriginal Title parks and reserves. In 2021 Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation began trading as ‘Djaara – Balaki Wuka (Giving to community)’.

Djaara | 13-15 Forest St, Bendigo VIC 3550

Djandak | 3/204 Strickland Rd, Strathdale VIC 3550

PO Box 1026 Bendigo 3552

Ph: (03) 5444 2888 Fax: (03) 54441 6472

Email: info@djadjawurrung.com.au

Resources: https://djadjawurrung.com.au/resources/

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Aboriginal Community Profile

(includes Aboriginal organisations)

Please note that the information contained within the Aboriginal Community Profile was gathered in 2014. It is now out of date. A refresh of this data is currently being undertaken and the updated results will be available soon.

KEY DOCUMENTS / LINKS

Ballarat Koorie Engagement Action Group (KEAG)

Ballarat First Nations Events Page

City of Ballarat Biodiversity Strategy 2024

Explore the biodiversity of the Ballarat area through Atlas of Living Australia's Explore your Area

GOOD PRACTICE

The City of Ballarat reported the following good practices in their response to the 2012 Victorian Local Government Aboriginal Engagement and Reconciliation Survey and subsequent updates.

Has an active Koorie Engagement Action Group (KEAG) Advisory Committee
Collaborates with Traditional Owners and BADAC where possible
Has a full time Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer
Works with Traditional Owners to use language names for projects and places
Flies the Aboriginal Flag permanently above Town Hall
Promotes Traditional Owner engagement and acknowledges Country
Seeks permissions to use Aboriginal languages to name projects or places
Engages with local Aboriginal organisations
Collects data on employee Indigenous identity
Provides cross cultural awareness training for staff and/or Councillors
Includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific commitments in the Council Plan, Municipal Public Health & Wellbeing Plan and the Local Planning Scheme
Has a Reconciliation Action Plan (currently in draft)
Displays Aboriginal artworks in Council premises and in public places
Holds exhibitions, festivals, markets or concerts
Commissions artworks or performances
Supports local artists or performers
Nominates Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples for non-Council awards
Recognises local Aboriginal historical dates and events
Includes Aboriginal content in whole of community events
Holds Reconciliation Week activities
Holds NAIDOC activities
Library has Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific programs
Supports Aboriginal specific childcare programs
Supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led youth programs
Informed by key Traditional Owner strategies and plans