News

Since its creation in 2009, National Close the Gap Day has called for greater action to bridge the gap in outcomes between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. Due to the ongoing effects of colonisation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people...

For nearly 50 years, VACCA has worked to support Aboriginal women and girls across Victoria. Through our services and programs, we work to protect their rights and to help them thrive. This International Women's Day (IWD) we're celebrating the...

You may recognise 26 January as Survival Day, Invasion Day or a Day of Mourning. No matter how you approach the date, we can all use it as an opportunity to recognise the strength, resilience and continued survival of our culture and communities, despite...

On January 26, we celebrate the continued survival of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. We remember our Elders and those who fought for our communities, and we honor those who have paid a heavy price in fighting for our rights and freedoms....

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign which runs every year from 25 November (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) to 10 December (Human Rights Day).    VACCA is proud to support the 16 Days...

Last week, VACCA CEO Aunty Muriel Bamblett delivered a keynote address at the 2024 AbSec Conference on Darug Country in NSW, highlighting the importance of ongoing investment in Aboriginal approaches to best support children and families as the sector...

VACCA was named Large Employer of the Year at the 2024 Victorian Training Awards! This award celebrates large businesses and orgnaisations that have achieved excellence in the provision of ‘nationally recognised training’ for their employees....

To celebrate 2024 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, we want to see what connection to culture means to our deadly kids! This year’s theme is ‘Strong in Culture, Stronger Together’. VACCA is the peak...

Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) CEO Aunty Muriel Bamblett has been awarded Person of the Year at this year’s National NAIDOC Awards. A Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung, Boon Wurrung Elder, Aunty Muriel has led VACCA...

Recently, VACCA staff, their families and special guests gathered to celebrate the recent graduation of staff members from across VACCA's regions After hearing from our CEO, Aunty Muriel Bamblett, and VACCA Chairperson James Atkinson, the ceremony...

This International Women’s Day we choose to celebrate the work of Aunty Mollie Dyer, a proud Yorta Yorta woman, who founded VACCA in 1977. She is remembered as a strong, courageous advocate for the rights of Aboriginal children and families, who...

Link-Up Victoria and VACCA have engaged Karabena Consultants to undertake consultations into the needs and aspirations of Stolen Generations survivors and their families living in Victoria and Tasmania. Link-Up is keen to hear your views and all feedback...

Thanks to kind support from our generous donors throughout our Education Appeal, children like Kai returned to school with the essential resources they needed to start the year with confidence. Kai started at his new school this year, and was so excited...

Thanks to kind support from our generous donors throughout our Christmas Appeal, Shanae and Kiara had a truly special Christmas with their mum Mel. For the first time in many years, they were all under the same roof together. You should’ve seen...

January 26 means different things to different people. For some, it is the day of invasion. For some, a day of mourning. At VACCA, we recognise January 26 as Survival Day. On this day we recognise the strength and resilience of our people, while...

Narrun Yana will open their latest exhibition at Wominjeka Festival this Sunday 27 May at the Gabriel Gallery in the Footscray Community Arts Centre at 2pm. VACCA’s art collective Narrun Yana create artwork together in a culturally nurturing...

16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (16 Days) is an annual international campaign starting on 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) which runs until 10 December (Human Rights Day). 16 Days provides an...

When you become a Foster Carer, you provide a safe and supportive environment for a child or young person who is unable to live at home. If you’ve been thinking about becoming a Carer but aren’t sure if you have the skills or ability, keep...

In the final week leading up to the referendum to vote on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament, it’s up to all of us to each do our part and ensure that a resounding YES rings out across the nation this Saturday! To help you...

Becoming a Foster Carer is a rewarding and life-changing experience, for both you and the child or children in your care. Like all life-changing journeys, it can be tricky to know how to start! With VACCA, you won’t have to do it alone. We offer...

Every child in care deserves a safe, stable and loving home to grow up in, one where they can thrive and reach their fullest potential. When you become a Foster Carer with VACCA, you’re helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and...

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who grow up in a home where they have a strong connection to their Culture and community thrive. When you become a Foster Carer with VACCA, you’ll be supported in providing a culturally safe and...

On Sunday, 10 September, Aboriginal leaders from across Victoria came together to sign a declaration in support of a Yes vote for Constitutional recognition of First Nations Australians and an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament....

VACCA staff have joined more than 1600 delegates on Larrakia Country in the Northern Territory for the 10th National SNAICC Conference. The 3-day conference provides an opportunity for the sector to gather and share expertise and knowledge to support...

Melissa Lucashenko is a proud Bundjalung woman and a multi-award-winning writer of fiction and non-fiction. Over the course of her 25 year literary career, Melissa has written a slew of novels and non-fiction essays to international acclaim. Melissa grew...

Jared Thomas is a museum curator, playwright, author and proud Nukunu man of the Flinders Ranges. After seeing the play Funerals and Circuses (written by Aboriginal playwright Roger Bennett) at a school excursion, Jared was inspired to pursue a career in...

Professor Helen Milroy is an author, psychiatrist, professor and proud Palyku woman from Western Australia. Helen’s literary journey began with her passion for storytelling and her desire to share the history and traditions of her people. Initially,...

Every child deserves a safe, secure home to grow up in. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who are unable to live with their birth families, foster care provides a safe and stable home where they’re connected to culture, growing up...

Becoming a Foster Carer is a profoundly rewarding experience that has a long-lasting positive effect on the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people who are unable to live at home. It takes a village Anyone can become a...

The 2023 NAIDOC theme, 'For Our Elders', celebrates those in community we look to for their cultural knowledge and depth of wisdom. Age alone doesn't determine if someone is recognised as an Elder, a true Elder is someone looked up to by...

We are pleased to announce that in partnership with The Centre For Excellence and Kinship Care Victoria, VACCA will be delivering the home-based care learning and development program known as Carer KaFE from May 2023. We look forward to delivering the...

On January 26th, it’s important to take time out, reflect, and look after yourself. This week we’re sharing supports and resources put together by our Aboriginal Healing team to help you maintain your emotional wellbeing, stay connected, and...

For Aboriginal people, 26 January is a reminder of the lasting impacts of colonisation, dispossession and invasion. For non-Indigenous Australians, it’s a reminder to learn more about about why 26 January is #NotADateToCelebrate. Allyship year-round...

On 26 January, it’s important to take time out, reflect, and look after yourself. This week we’re sharing supports and resources put together by VACCA's Aboriginal Healing team to help you maintain good emotional wellbeing, stay connected,...

Now that 2022 has come to a close, it's time to look back on the success and impact of VACCA's Christmas Appeal. We would like to express our immense gratitude to all of those who donated to the appeal. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to...

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is an annual campaign run by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership, it calls for action to end gender-based violence in our communities. Each year, the 16 Days begin on 25 November, the...

Here at VACCA, Anti-Poverty Week is a time to look at the effects that poverty has on children and those that care for them. Unfortunately, over 50% of VACCA's Kinship Carers and by extension, the children in their care, live below the poverty line....

VACCA is proud to be part of the Darebin Best Start Aboriginal Reference Group, who have worked together to develop a video series for mob, known as Nugal Murrup Buladu – belong, spirit, grow. As part of the partnership project, a unique video...

A huge congratulations to the Western VACCA Yawa Placement Team, winners of the Residential Care Award at Resi ROCKS 2022! The award is given to the team that has worked together to achieve significant and positive outcomes for children and young people...

VACCA’s Election Platform calls all political parties to prioritise Victoria’s commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap including all targets and priority reform areas. Government and mainstream accountability is a critical...

VACCA CEO Muriel Bamblett has called out the Victorian government for ­failing to fulfill promises made under the Closing the Gap agreement. Ms Bamblett said the disappointing annual Aboriginal Affairs report tabled in Parliament last week is...

VACCA CEO Muriel Bamblett has been appointed a member of the official Indigenous Voice Referendum Engagement Group, alongside other prominent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representatives nationwide. As a representative of the Coalition of peaks...

The Victorian Government has funded the Department of Education and Training (DET) to bring Koorie communities, young people and schools together to listen, share and connect about self-determination for Koorie people in education. From June-Aug 2022, a...

Explore this selection of Young Adult novels we've put together for Book Week 2022! These books, all written by Indigenous authors, are quintessentially adolescent stories. Some are old, some are new, but they're about all self-identity, growing...

Check out VACCA's selection of picture books for Book Week 2022 below. All the books are written and illustrated by Indigenous authors and illustrators; perfect for the book loving child in your life! We've also got a free e-book specifically...

Dr Matthew Bach, Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs, recently sat down with VACCA CEO Aunty Muriel Bamblett. During this time, they discussed the importance of ACCOs in supporting Aboriginal children, who are overrepresented in the Out of Home Care system....

Newly elected Labor MP Jana Stewart, a proud Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba woman and former VACCA employee, recently delivered her maiden speech to the Federal Senate. In it, she touched on women's rights, education, Treaty and the history of the...

For the first time in two years we're celebrating NAIDOC Week with a series of events held across the regions we work in, giving our clients and community the opportunity to get together and celebrate. These events are especially important for the...

This week, VACCA launched the Morning Tea for Culture campaign, encouraging groups to register to fundraise for Aboriginal children in care, and learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. VACCA is calling on schools, businesses,...

Providing a temporary home and caring for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child who is unable to live with their birth family means making a meaningful commitment. Foster caring is often described as a challenging yet incredibly rewarding...

Families in the Brimbank Melton community will receive individual support making it easier for them to access services specific to their needs thanks to a new partnership announced by the Victorian Government. Minister for Child Protection and Family...

Strong, proud and deadly Every day VACCA works to support and empower Aboriginal women and girls across Victoria. Through our programs and services, we protect their rights and advocate on their behalf, strengthening families, communities and individuals....

Connected to culture, connected to community At VACCA, we know that the key to a strong future for young Aboriginal people is to ensure they know where they come from, who they are, and to have pride in their Aboriginal heritage. Our cultural...

All children should have the opportunity to grow, learn and play at school with access to the supplies and support they need. The COVID-19 pandemic has put disadvantaged Aboriginal children and families under even more pressure heading into Term 1. Many...

Donna What is it like to be raised up by others? How do you find your way back to family, culture and community? In Fractured: Broken Ties - Reclaimed Lives, Stolen Generations members Freddy, Donna, John and Alice open up the pain and confusion of their...

Alice What is it like to be raised up by others? How do you find your way back to family, culture and community? In Fractured: Broken Ties - Reclaimed Lives, Stolen Generations members Freddy, Donna, John and Alice open up the pain and confusion of their...

Freddy What is it like to be raised up by others? How do you find your way back to family, culture and community? In Fractured: Broken Ties - Reclaimed Lives, Stolen Generations members Freddy, Donna, John and Alice open up the pain and confusion of their...

As many families prepare for their children to return to school after the summer holidays, we must also reflect on the harsh realities many Aboriginal children face. Our children are meant to be going to school, learning from Elders, spending time with...

January 26 means different things to different people. For Aboriginal people it's a day of mourning. It's a reminder of the lasting impacts of colonisation, dispossession and invasion. Survival Day is just one day, but it’s a reminder for...

January 26 means different things to different people. For many of us, it's a day of mourning. It's a reminder of the lasting impacts of colonisation, dispossession and invasion. We think it’s important for mob to take time out, reflect and...

Stay Strong is an animated podcast for young people, by young people. Bradley Hill About Stay Strong Stay Strong is created by VACCA in partnership with GARUWA - an Aboriginal owned production company led by Genevieve Grieves and Kieran Satour. Stay...

Stay Strong is an animated podcast for young people, by young people. Emma Bastable About Stay Strong Stay Strong is created by VACCA in partnership with GARUWA - an Aboriginal owned production company led by Genevieve Grieves and Kieran Satour. Stay...

Stay Strong is an animated podcast for young people, by young people. Maurial Spearim About Stay Strong Stay Strong is created by VACCA in partnership with GARUWA - an Aboriginal owned production company led by Genevieve Grieves and Kieran Satour. Stay...

VACCA is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2021 Mollie Dyer Awards! On Friday 26 November award winners and nominees were recognised for their hard work, dedication, commitment and leadership at an awards ceremony which was livestreamed via our...

Stay Strong is an animated podcast for young people, by young people. Baker Boy About Stay Strong Stay Strong is created by VACCA in partnership with GARUWA - an Aboriginal owned production company led by Genevieve Grieves and Kieran Satour. Stay Strong...

Stay Strong is an animated podcast for young people, by young people. Uncle Archie Roach About Stay Strong Stay Strong is created by VACCA in partnership with GARUWA - an Aboriginal owned production company led by Genevieve Grieves and Kieran Satour. Stay...

No child should wake up on Christmas Day without a gift to unwrap, or food on the table. To help create special memories we need your help to provide Christmas gifts and extra support to children, families and community members in need at this often...

Stay Strong is an animated podcast for young people, by young people. Uncle Jim Berg About Stay Strong Stay Strong is created by VACCA in partnership with GARUWA - an Aboriginal owned production company led by Genevieve Grieves and Kieran Satour. Stay...

Did you know there are different types of foster care options for foster carers? There are many ways to provide a welcoming temporary home for children, with the aim to reunite them with their birth family and maintain the child’s connection to...

With just weeks to go to nominate for the 2021 Mollie Dyer Awards, now is the time to submit yours! You can nominate someone via the awards website, or download a nomination form and email to awards@vacca.org. If you need more time or help to make a...

Thank you to our Carers! This week, we're celebrating all our Carers and the incredible work they do to support and nurture the children and young people in their care. Throughout Foster Care Week, we've organised some very special guests to say...

Thank you to our Carers! This week, we're celebrating all our Carers and the incredible work they do to support and nurture the children and young people in their care. Throughout Foster Care Week, we've organised some very special guests to say...

Thank you to our Carers! This week, we're celebrating all our Carers and the incredible work they do to support and nurture the children and young people in their care. Throughout Foster Care Week, we've organised some very special guests to say...

Thank you to all our carers This Foster Care Week, VACCA is proud to say thank you to all of our wonderful carers. Throughout these challenging times you have continued to provide comfort and security to some of the most vulnerable children. Your...

Who You Are People of all backgrounds and diversities can provide foster care for Aboriginal children and young people. While it’s our priority to place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with families from their community and culture,...

Leadership through Crisis – Celebrating Extraordinary People in Extraordinary Times The Mollie Dyer Awards have returned for 2021, named in honour of our extraordinary co-founder Aunty Mollie Dyer, who advocated tirelessly for Aboriginal children...

Below is a transcript of this video. My name is Kevin Russell, I’m a proud Yorta Yorta man. My Yorta Yorta connection goes back to my grandmother, Sally Cooper. She's the daughter of William Cooper. A good question - where I get the name...

Below is a transcript of this video. My name's Jody Chatfield, I'm a Wurundjeri woman from Dubbo, New South Wales. We're known as the Three Rivers people and Dubbo is Red Earth in our language. Country is very important, it's part of my...

Below is a transcript of this video. My name is Wally Harrison, I'm a Yorta Yorta man, but also Dja Dja Wurrung from my father. He was born in Lake Tyers on the mission in Gippsland - he was moved down there, our people. I'm lucky to be owned by...

Below is a transcript of this video. I'm known as Aunty Fay Carter. Aunty is a respectful term that most younger people use. I've got two connections - one Yorta Yorta, one Dja Dja Wurrung. I'm very much involved in Dja Dja Wurrung cultural...

I’m a Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Bunnerong, Taungurong woman. My people are the Harrisons, Charles, Hamiltons and Briggs. These names connect me with the many lands that my people have nurtured and walked upon for generations. The NAIDOC 2021...

Aboriginal children have a right to grow up feeling nurtured and safe, with the opportunity to develop their social and emotional wellbeing through connection to culture and community. In supporting reconciliation, we support justice, equality, and unity...

Each year on 26 May, National Sorry Day acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families. Separated from culture, community and country, they are known as members of the Stolen...

VACCA is proud to announce our partnership with Aboriginal Housing Victoria to deliver Aboriginal Community Home Connect, a new program which provides advice and support to Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tenants living in social housing....

For children and young people who can't live safely at home — whether temporarily or permanently — out-of-home care is intended to keep them safe and support them to heal and thrive. However, Victoria has the highest rate of children...

With COVID-19 entering a Victorian prison and youth detention centres, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal and human rights organisations are demanding the Andrews Government commit to safely reducing the number of people locked away in Victorian...

We have to come together as a community to talk about the recent loss of lives of our young people to suicide and to help those saddened by these losses. Our message is clear: don't do it alone — we are community, we care, we all matter. Our...

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has already had a significant impact on the lives of people across the country and around the world, and will continue to influence the dynamics of everyday life well into the future. As important as the work we do at...

Payday loans (short term money, fast cash) are advertised on TV and the internet to tempt you into getting cash quickly to pay bills or money owing. Payday loans can be a trap that leads to more financial stress and hardship. Consumer Action Koori Help...

13/04/2020 We acknowledge with great sadness the passing of Aunty Marg Stewart last Friday. Aunty Marg had been a member of the VACCA Board for a number of years between 1997-2011 during this time she had been the Chairperson of the Board between...

This International Women's Day we celebrate all the strong, proud and deadly women who shape our lives, strengthen our communities and fight for our rights through highlighting a few amazing women who work at VACCA and those who have made us who we...

20/02/2020 This week our Nugel program was awarded the Advancing Aboriginal Self-Determination Award at IPAA Victoria's Leadership in the Public Sector Awards. The Awards celebrate the excellence and innovation of teams and organisations working in,...

We're excited to announce a new 12 week health and fitness program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Werribee and Melton. Run in partnership with HITFIT Boxing, participants will learn the fundamentals of boxing training and develop...

As we wrap up another year at VACCA, now is the perfect time to reflect on what we have achieved throughout 2019. It has been a year of countless achievements and we look forward to the new year with our community. From celebrating Voice. Treaty. Truth...

This year the Ovens Murray Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) team celebrated their first Children's Christmas Party on 8 December 2019 in Wangaratta. After setting up the Wangaratta office in late 2018 and providing services to the...

Today is National Sorry Day. It is a day that marks the special place of our Stolen Generations. It is our time to acknowledge those...

11 December 2019 To help create special memories, this year we are hosting a number of special Christmas events for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in our care and our other programs across Victoria – and we cannot do...

Our My Deadly Culture Diary 2020 celebrates deadly science and technology knowledge held by our Mob for thousands of years – and is now available for purchase​​​​. Spanning from climate to astronomy to songlines – we are proud that our new...

For many, Christmas is a wonderful time of the year about exchanging gifts and spending valuable time with family, friends and community. But for others, there may be no one to spend it with and no gifts to exchange. Every year VACCA organises Christmas...

For over 40 years, the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) has worked towards protecting and promoting the rights of Aboriginal children...

6 November 2019 We are excited to announce the release of new early years’ resources - 'Smalltalk – Big Yarns.' In partnership with the Department of Health and Human Services, the Parenting Research Centre, and Youthworx, we have...

Republished from The Conversation on 22 October 2019 'My mob is telling their story and it makes me feel good': here's what Aboriginal survivors of child sexual abuse told us they need Authors: Carlina Black, La Trobe University; Margarita...

We would like to extend a warm and heartfelt THANK YOU to Gandel Philanthropy. VACCA was recently awarded a Major Grant from Gandel which will go towards VACCAs Return to Country program. The Return to Country program is an integral part of connecting...

VACCA is an Aboriginal community controlled organisation with forty years of working in the field of child and family services. During this time we have continually advocated for our right to self-determination. Many of our staff, members and Board are...

During the April school holidays, the Western VACCA office were able to host their first Cultural Camps for children aged six to thirteen years old. Forty children attended the camps in the program designed to connect children to their culture and...

In early 2017 Morwell’s Staying Strong Youth Camp provided youth in the community the opportunity to connect culturally, strengthen identity and focus on diversion from involvement with the justice system. During this camp the group created a banner...

Source: http://www.snaicc.org.au/snaicc-statement-14-march-2018-joint-statement-aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-leaders-recent-media-coverage-around-child-protection-children/ We all share responsibilities to ensure the right of every Aboriginal and...

The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement of a Redress Scheme with the support of the Victorian and New South Wales governments. The announcement which responds to Recommendation Two of the Royal...

This week is National Child Protection week and we at VACCA are taking the opportunity to raise awareness of children’s safety and wellbeing and encourage the community to continue to work together to protect our children, provide safe communities...

Monash University and Gandel Philanthropy have partnered to support the next generation of Indigenous change agents, as part of the largest philanthropic fundraising campaigns in the history of the university. The scholarship, which will see financial...

We have moved our powerful and successful face to face 1 day cultural awareness workshop to a series of online zoom sessions. These include 3 x 2 hour live facilitated sessions with an additional learners guide that includes a series of readings prompting...

On January 26 VACCA CEO Muriel Bamblett was awarded an Order of Australia for her services and contribution to the community, and in particular her work with Aboriginal children and families. Speaking on the day, Muriel said, "I am pleased to receive...

On January 26, VACCA Life Member, Aunty Fay Carter was appointed a Medal of the Order of Australia, an OAM. Aunty Fay is a respected Elder of the Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung clans. For over 40 years she has worked to help strengthen families, reform...

The first stage to working respectfully with Aboriginal people and on the journey to reconciliation is understanding about Aboriginal culture/s. This starts with Cultural Awareness and being open to learning what you don't know, changing perspectives...

Yesterday, the Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Bill 2018 was passed by the lower house. This is a significant step and, while we are still a long way from a Treaty, it enables a process to establish an Aboriginal Representative...

November 20 is World Children's Day - a time to celebrate the rights, talents and achievements of children. It is also a time to reflect upon issues that have a direct impact on the welfare of children, and what needs to be done to address them. The...

The Productivity Commission has released the Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage report, which measures the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people against 52 indicators across a range of areas including education, economic participation,...

This Christmas will be like no other for the children and families that we work with. To help create special memories, we need your help to provide Christmas gifts and extra support to children, families and community members in need at this often...

8 March marks International Women’s Day. On this day we celebrate the achievements of women and recognise their strengths, skills and abilities. It also gives us the opportunity to stand with all women in working towards a more equal and inclusive...