The Guest Speaker for this meeting was Nerita Waight, a proud a Yorta-Yorta and Narrandjeri woman with Taungurung connections.  Nerita is CEO Aboriginal Legal Service. 

Nerita’s topic was “Indigenous Justice Issues” and she was introduced by our Chair of the Day Rob McGuirk.

Nerita began by pointing out that many Australians find her stories of the harm and suffering the justice system causes to Aboriginal people is uncomfortable and hard to accept.  She was pleased also to be able to talk about the great work the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) does to strengthen the community and help Aboriginal people navigate through the complexities of the legal system.

Nerita’s address covered many specific elements of the justice system; some key points in Nerita’s address:

• Despite the overturning of “Terra Nullius” which means Land belonging to no-one was not overturned until 1992 – despite that the incarceration rates of Australian Aborigines is the highest in the world;
• The indigenous community faces issues:
  • Child protection,
  • Youth justice
  • Truency
  • Family safety and protection orders
  • Regular deaths in custody
  • Overall, in the last year, VALS has had 70,000 interactions on behalf of more than 11,0000 clients.

VALS is not only a legal service.  It is also a community welfare service, that makes access to legal services easier, and the impact of its services is to make aboriginal people safer and more productive in the community.

The video recording of Nerita’s address is available on the Clubs YouTube chanel HERE.  The impact of the justice system on indigenous people should be of concern to all Rotarians.

We recommend you view the recording of Nerita’s address to get a fuller appreciation of the issues facing indigenous people in the justice system.

Also at this meeting:

President Adrian highlighted Rodney Smith’s 39 anniversary this week as a Rotary Melbourne member and in particular paid tribute the 40^th anniversary of Ron Cullen, who on top of his distinguished career in education employment and vocational training in the Victorian and NSW Governments made significant contributions to the Clubs Vocational Service Committee as well as advising not-for-profit partners of Rotary Melbourne and the Club’s efforts on tackling family violence.  His service has been recognised by Paul Harris awards in 2007 followed by a sapphire PHF in 2017.  Congratulations and happy anniversary Ron.  See more detail in this week’s bulletin.

President Adrian also took the opportunity to remind those present that Rotary Melbourne member Professor Jeremy Oats, who was also in attendance will be recognised with Rotary’s highest honour, the Service Above Self Award, at the International Convention in May.  The Award recognises his distinguished service leading an expert team of medical/midwifery specialists in up-skill training of 360 midwives/nurses and 162 doctors in Timor Leste since 2011.  See more detail in last week’s bulletin.

Finally, President Adrian highlighted the work of Rob McGuirk in his leadership of the Rotary Melbourne Peace Park – Peace Bells project.  Through the efforts of Rob and many Rotary colleagues the targeted fund-raising has nearly been achieved.  Read more in this bulletin.

Bruce Davidson came to the podium to refresh our memories of our annual AFL footy tipping competition which is only weeks away.  While this is an important fund-raiser for the Club’s Health and Ageing committee’s projects, it is also of great interest as the AFL season progresses, with diverse tipsters delivering surprising tipping results.

The full meeting can be viewed HERE. 

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