This Week's Meeting 8 February 23: Nerita Waight, CEO Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
Guest Speaker Nerita Waight, CEO Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
Topic ‘Indigenous Justice Issues’
Time from 12.30pm – 2.00pm
Venue No35 Restaurant Sofitel Hotel on Collins also Online via Zoom
Price $53 (2 course lunch @ No35) / $10 Zoom only online access
Register https://events.humanitix.com/rotary-melbourne-15feb
Nerita Waight is a Yorta Yorta and Narrandjeri woman with Taungurung connections.
Nerita is the CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service. Nerita was first employed at VALS in 2014 as a civil lawyer. Prior to becoming CEO, Nerita had experience across several teams in the organisation including family and children’s law, as well as policy and advocacy.
Nerita has helped expand the work of VALS to meet the needs of Aboriginal communities. Notably establishing Balit Ngulu, a holistic and culturally safe legal service for Aboriginal children. As CEO, Nerita has also overseen the expansion of VALS’ policy and advocacy work, and the establishment of the Wirraway Police and Prison Accountability Practice which has supported clients on several high-profile Aboriginal death in custody cases. Most recently, Wirraway supported Uncle Percy Lovett, the partner of Veronica Nelson, during the Coronial Inquest into her death in custody.
Nerita is also the mother of two young boys. Ensuring that they grow up with strong connections to their culture and kin, and in a world that is safer for Aboriginal people, is a key motivation for Nerita’s work.
The Anniversary of National Apology Day on 13 February is widely recognised as the day in 2008, when former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd apologised on behalf of the nation for past laws, policies and practices that have impacted upon Australia's First Nations Peoples, particularly members of the Stolen Generations.
