Justin Mohamed, Australia's inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People, delivered the Dungala Kaiela Oration on Yorta Yorta Country in Shepparton on Tuesday 23 July, alongside local Yorta Yorta and other First Nations communities, and Goulburn Valley community members.
Mr Mohamed, a Gooreng Gooreng man from Bundaberg in Queensland, is Australia's dedicated First Nations representative for international engagement. He has a strong connection to community, having worked in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, social justice and reconciliation over decades, as well as in government and the corporate sector.
As a former CEO of Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative (RAC) and Director of the Academy of Sport Health and Education (ASHE), a partnership between Rumbalara Football Netball Club (RFNC), University of Melbourne and GOTAFE, he is a stand-out example of the region's investment in First Nations leadership.
In his address, Mr Mohamed spoke of the deep and longstanding personal connection he has with the region and its First Nations-led institutions, and drew on the aims and work of his Office of First Nations International Engagement at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, to drive a First Nations approach to foreign policy, including trade and investment, and development, in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Mr Mohamed is working to identify new areas of cooperation between First Nations communities and Australia's international partners, including in intellectual property and exports, climate change, human rights, tourism and development.
Kaiela Institute Executive Director Paul Briggs AO said it was significant that the 2024 Oration would be joined by Mr Mohamad given the Institute's efforts to build a productive and prosperous future of the Goulburn Murray community.
"From the Kaiela and Dungala rivers to the Seine and Amazon, Justin's journey to national and international leadership embodies the Yorta Yorta "Invincibles" spirit he experienced during his many years as an emerging leader in local istitutions such as the Koori Resource Information Centre (KRIC), Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative (RAC) and the Rumbalara Football Netball Club/Academy of Sport Health and Education (RFNC/ASHE).
"We look forward to his advocacy at national and international levels in his new role as the inaugural Ambassador for First Nations people. We are confident this will build momentum for delivering the innovative Goulburn Murray Regional Prosperity and Productivity Plan, a whole-of-region partnership to recognise and deliver our right to a thriving First Nation economy." Paul Briggs said.
University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Maskell said the University's enduring commitment and partnership with the Kaiela Institute and the Goulburn Valley region was emphasised by the annual Oration, now in its 16th year.
"This year, we are delighted to be joined by Justin Mohamed at the Dungala Kaiela Oration on Yorta Yorta Country, and hear about how he is driving a First Nations approach to international engagement and strengthen connections between First Nations communities and international partners." Professor Maskell said.
The Kaiela Institute is a First Nations-led analysis and policy think tank, providing a place and a process to encourage and support leaders and institutions to collaborate, and take a more strategic approach to building the future of the Goulburn Murray community.
A recording of Mr Mohamed's Oration can be viewed here.
