“When you have art you have voice, with voice comes freedom, with freedom comes responsibility.”
Richard J Frankland, advisor RAV First Nations Reference Group
RAV is seeking expressions of interest from First Nations creatives living and/or working in regional Victoria who would like to represent their creative community in a newly established First Nations Reference Group [working title].
RAV is the peak body for regional creatives in Victoria. Guided by Richard J Frankland, Songlines Aboriginal Music and Ilbijerri Theatre Company, RAV would like to establish a First Nations Reference Group to ensure First Nations creatives in regional Victoria are visible and heard.
So far, we have:
- Developed a “cultural underlay” for this process, reviewing policies and practices at RAV.
- Developed a draft terms of reference document for the group which we propose will be finalised by the group itself.
- Met with First Nations creatives online and in person in Bendigo, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Portland and Bairnsdale.
We are now seeking expressions of interest from regionally based First Nations creatives from Victoria and border regions to participate in the group. The whole group will be 12 people, with 10 positions now open for expressions of interest.
The group is intended to:
- Represent a mix of First Nations backgrounds from across the regions
- Include a diversity of ages, genders and artform practices
All participants in the First Nations Reference Group will be First nations people living and/or working in regional Victoria or border regions.
- This initial group will be selected by Bradley, a First Nations RAV Board member, a representative of Ilbijerri, in order to achieve the balance stated above.
- Appointments will be for two years or three years so we can stagger future appointments.
- It is anticipated that future appointments will be selected by a panel chosen by the reference group.
- An honorarium of $300 for attendance at each meeting will be paid
Applications have now closed.
For more information contact
Susie Lyons
Director of Partnerships & Programming
0412 950023
[email protected]
The First Nations Reference Group is an initiative of Regional Arts Victoria with Songlines Aboriginal Music and Ilbijerri Theatre Company.
Image from Swan Hill Harmony Day, April 2025, photograph: Hazel Palmer