Ngiwa Yarna Committee
Council's Ngiwa Yarna Committee (formerly the Aboriginal Action Committee) was established in late 2011 as a way of strengthening Council’s relationships and engagement with the local Aboriginal community. The purpose of the committee is to improve and enhance the wellbeing of the Aboriginal community in the Mildura Rural City Council municipality.
The committee meets monthly in a hybrid format – both online, and at Council’s Benetook Room at the Alfred Deakin Centre.
Committee membership consists of community members, Elders, representatives from key local Aboriginal organisations and committees and two Councillors.
Meet our current members:
Position: Community member - Chair
Tribe: Barkindji/Paakantyi
Achievements: Patsy is involved in other areas of the community, including the Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (LAECG), the Koori Courts, Umalek Balit, while also acting as Chair of the Mallee Aboriginal Government Employee Network (MAGEN).
What has Ngiwa Yarna done for you and why should Aboriginal people be involved: As a member of the Mildura Rural City Council Ngiwa Yarna Committee, I have been working to give the local Aboriginal community a voice in Council decision-making. I believe the partnership with Council is very important, as it acknowledges the ongoing Aboriginal connection to the community, its peoples and lands that it meets on.
"Ngiwa Yarna has played an important role in a number of projects with Council, including the development of the riverfront, the MRCC Regional Action Plan (RAP), the Reconciliation Week March, the NAIDOC Corroboree and the service for Orange Ribbon week."
Position: Community member
Tribe: Wangkumarra/Kamilaroi
Achievements: Sharon has worked for more than 26 years in the Aboriginal Health field, while being a long-time human rights and social justice advocate. Sharon is also passionate about equality, self-determination and Aboriginal people have a voice.
What has the Ngiwa Yarna done for you and why should Aboriginal people be involved: "Being on the Ngiwa Yarna Committee enables me to have a seat at the table, and offer my cultural knowledge, professional experience, as well as lived experience to the Council, which can help with its decision-making where the Aboriginal community can be consulted and represented.
"I have been living in Mildura since 2019, and have been a member of Ngiwa Yarna since early 2021. Policy-setting, good communication, consultation and respecting cultural lore and protocols will enable the AAC to remain strong and unified as we work together for a better and more inclusive future for Aboriginal people in the North West of Victoria."
Position: Community member
Tribe: Barkindji
Achievements: Peter has a Bachelor in Health Science (Mental Health) and a Bachelor of Liberal Studies (Arts - Psychology - Foundations of Psychology 1 & 2) and was the 2021 Indigenous Alumni of the Year for Charles Sturt University.
What has Ngiwa Yarna done for you and why should Aboriginal people be involved in the committee: Aboriginal people need to be involved in Ngiwa Yarna to provide first-hand knowledge and experience of situations that involve and are related to our people. We need to guide and advise on decisions that affect our mob.
Position: Mallee Dhelk Dja Regional Coordinator
Tribe: Barkindji
Achievements: I am an identical twin, a proud mother and have advocated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander survivors of sexual assault and domestic and family violence.
For the last 13 years, I have devoted my time to work in Aboriginal Community services in Broken Hill and surrounding areas, including Wilcannia, Menindee, Ivanhoe, Tibooburra, Dareton and Wentworth.
I am a former Manager of Aboriginal Prevention Legal Violence Service 'Warra Warra' - a free legal service that provides legal advice, representation and assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander survivors of Domestic and Family Violence and Sexual Assault in the Far West of NSW.
I also received my Certificate IV to become a qualified Aboriginal Health Practitioner at the Maari Ma Aboriginal Health Corporation. I performed this role for eight years, running my own Smoking Programs and assisting dieticians with community dinners and healthy promotional events.
What has Ngiwa Yarna done for you and why should Aboriginal people be involved in the committee: I feel very honoured to represent Mallee Dhelk Dja on the Ngiwa Yarna Committee. The opportunity to develop my knowledge and understanding of the Mallee communities and service providers will be very helpful for my journey with Dhelk Dja. I hope to provide honest information, suggestions and leadership to all the committee while maintaining cultural respect and awareness. I look forward to collaborating for change for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members.
Position: Elder
Tribe: Barkindji, Malangaappa
Achievements: I’ve been a performing poet, singer, and song-writer for years. I’ve been a grape picker, a truck driver and am a proud family man.
What has Ngiwa Yarna done for you and why should Aboriginal people be involved in the committee: I think it’s important for Council to listen to Aboriginal community, and hear our ideas about how things should be in our community. And as an Elder, it’s my duty to pass on what I know about our culture.
Position: Mallee District Aboriginal Services representative
Tribe: Gunditjmara around Warrnambool and Port Fairy.
Achievements: I have recently finished Year 10, heading into Year 11 at Mildura Senior College. I’m very passionate about Indigenous youth in the community, and making sure our voices are being heard. I have done some travelling in and around Africa and Asia, helping kids in orphanages. This is work I wish to continue once my schooling is complete.
Why did you join the Ngiwa Yarna Committee? I believe this will be a great opportunity as a young Indigenous woman to yarn about different things we can do in the community, and also get my voice out there and build up my confidence and learn new skills.
Position: Community member
Tribe: Ngiyambaa, Barkindji, Bogan, Darling and Murray river regions occupied by my family/mob/tribe.
Achievements: Academically I have achieved a Bachelor of Criminology, Certificate IV Training and Assessment and a Diploma of Counselling. I am now engaged with cultural heritage protection awareness training and community development specific to cultural values and responsibilities within our schools.
What made you want to join the Ngiwa Yarna Committee: To learn, show respect, listen and incorporate integral cultural insight into the events that shape our future and identity as a community.
Tribe and Achievements:
Angelika Fevaleaki is the Mallee LAJAC Project Officer the LAJACs are responsible for promoting and nourishing improved relationships, linkages and reconciliation between the wider local Aboriginal community, justice agencies, local government and community service providers.
Angelika is a proud Mutthi Mutthi woman with extensive cultural knowledge and connections.
Angelika completed her Diploma of Community Services through Bendigo TAFE and was recently awarded with the ‘Aunty Melva Johnson Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year 2024.’ This prestigious award is in honour of Aunty Melva Johnson, a Yorta Yorta and Wemba Wemba Elder, and a champion of Aboriginal education and health.
Angelika’s dedication, passion and commitment working with Aboriginal people on Justice issues will be an asset to our Department, Stakeholders and Community. in which she has completed a Post Graduate in Family Therapy and her experience with working in Community Service extends through her life experience and further educational opportunities she continues to study.
What has Ngiwa Yarna done for you and why should Aboriginal people be involved in the committee:
Being a member of a Ngiwa Yarna and dedication to the inclusion of First Nations peoples is an important and impactful role, one that contributes significantly to fostering equity, social justice, and reconciliation to promote a deeper understanding of the unique histories, cultures, and challenges faced by First Nations peoples. This role involves educating the broader community about Indigenous experiences, thereby encouraging mutual respect and dismantling stereotypes. Through such efforts, members contribute to the creation of an informed and inclusive society.
Therefore, uplifting first nations voices with true inclusion requires that First Nations peoples have an active voice in the decisions that affect their communities and well-being. As a member of the committee, one has the opportunity to ensure that Indigenous perspectives are included in discussions and decision-making processes, particularly in matters related to community development, cultural preservation, and social services. This promotes greater empowerment and autonomy for First Nations peoples.
Being a part of Ngiwa Yarna provides both personal rewards and broader community benefits. It offers opportunities for skill development, networking, making an impact, and building stronger ties with the people around you.
The Ngiwa Yarna Committee has demonstrated huge commitment in working alongside Council, demonstrating positive relationships and ongoing communication between Council and the community, to make positive and sustainable change.
Some key achievements of the Ngiwa Yarna to date can be found on our Aboriginal Heritage Page
Expressions of Interest now open
We currently have an opportunity for one (1) Elder of the Mildura Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to join our Ngiwa Yarna Committee. If you are interested in joining, please complete our online form to register your interest. Applicants must also attach a short cover letter explaining their suitability to this position. If you would prefer to chat with our team, please contact Nathan Giles, Aboriginal Liaison Officer on 03 5018 8100.
Express interest in joining Ngiwa Yarna
More information
Contact our Aboriginal Liaison Officer Nathan Giles
Phone: 03 5018 8100