News + Views

Creating more self-determining justice models for Victoria’s Aboriginal and First Nations communities

On 16 January, CIJ team members Stan Winford, Jen Black and Megan Hughes, alongside Sue Ball and Katrina Webster from the Victorian Legal Services Board (VLSB), Ash Morris from Victoria Legal Aid and Mark Powell from Western Region Alcohol and Drug Centre visited the beautiful country of the Kirrae Whurrong and Gunditjamara people in the Western District of Victoria. 

We were warmly welcomed by Kirrae Whurrong Elder Uncle Leonard Clarke and his people at Framlingham in the Western District of Victoria. Uncle Lenny has been working to address challenges faced by his community for many years, including helping community members in contact with the criminal justice system in his role as an Elder on the County and Magistrates’ Court Koori Court.  

A group of people standing in a row on the beautiful country of the Kirrae Whurrong and Gunditjamara people, with large eucalyptus trees in the background. From left to right: Brett Clarke, Aunty Patricia Clarke, Megan Hughes (CIJ) Stan Winford (CIJ), Katrina Webster (VLSB), Uncle Lenny Clarke, Ash Morris (VLA) Sue Ball (VLAS) Jen Black (CIJ), Kirrae Craddock-ClarkeFront: Lupine Clarke

From left to right: Brett Clarke, Aunty Patricia Clarke, Megan Hughes (CIJ) Stan Winford (CIJ), Katrina Webster (VLSB), Uncle Lenny Clarke, Ash Morris (VLA) Sue Ball (VLAS) Jen Black (CIJ), Kirrae Craddock-Clarke Front: Lupine Clarke

Uncle Lenny is founder and Principal of the Shara Clarke Aboriginal Culture and Education Centre (Share Clarke Centre), an Aboriginal-led organisation that advances, showcases and fosters the culture and language of the Kirrae Whurrong people through arts, music and cultural education programs. The centre aims to address the over-incarceration of Aboriginal people by using culture and the arts as a tool of reconciliation and healing and showcasing First Peoples culture to a broad and international audience.  

Inspired by the Yallum Yallum project in the Central Highlands and Wimmera regions of Victoria, the Shara Clarke Centre is seeking to scope and design its own independent and self-determining justice model. The Yallum Yallum model aspires to provide an alternative option for Aboriginal community members facing the Magistrates’ Court that diverts them away from further involvement in the criminal justice system and promotes cultural healing, social and emotional well-being and a stronger role in culture and community. It will build on the principles of the existing Yallum Yallum project developing its own unique version to suit the needs and aspirations of Western District Aboriginal communities. 

In November last year, the VLSB recognised this project’s potential with a grant of $180,000 to the Share Clarke Centre. The CIJ is pleased to accept the Share Clarke Centre’s invitation to work alongside their community to scope and co-design the model over the next 18 months.  

We think this partnership with Uncle Lenny and his community will create a strong foundation for the development of a culturally appropriate, self-determined alternative pathway for community members in contact with the justice system. We welcome support from the VLSB to enable this work to move forward. Stay tuned as we proudly embark on this significant work.