Regional Victoria’s communities are informed and enriched by the creativity and culture of Victoria’s First Peoples. Of the more than 65,000 First Nations people who live in our state, over half are based in regional Victoria. The creative practice of the world’s oldest continuous living culture has informed numerous recent regional creative industry initiatives and projects, with almost 150 of RAV’s member organisations working with First Nations creatives.
RAV has established a First Nations Reference Group (working title) to ensure First Nations creatives in regional Victoria are visible and heard. The First Nations Reference Group will help guide Regional Arts Victoria and our Members to walk purposefully alongside First Nations peoples, respecting self-determination and diverse First Nations cultures in our work, policies and advocacy. The group met for the first time on 11 December 2025.
Members of the inaugural group are:
Bradley Brown (Gunditjmara / Gunai / Kurnai) Co Chair, General Manager Songlines Aboriginal Music
Natasha Carter (Djaara/Dja Dja Wurrung, Yorta-Yorta and Jaru) Marketing Coordinator, Ilbijerri Theatre Company
Neil Morris (Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung)
Nikita Moore (Wemba Wemba/Wamba Wamba)
Bobbie Pepper (Gunai/Kurnai)
Donna Conley (Dharug Ngyiampaa)
Brett Clarke (Kerray Wooroong)
Dan Mitchell (Whadjuk Noongar)
Jane Harrison (Muruwari)
Michellie Charvat (Palawa Pairrebeenne-Trawlwoolway)
Mel Steffensen (Peek Whurrong, Wadawurrung)
Joey Chatfield-Berg (Gunditjmara/ Kirrae Whurrong)
These members will be joined at meetings by the Deputy Chair of RAV’s Board, Tom Molyneux (Gunditjmara) and RAV Board Member, Janet Bromley (Yorta Yorta), Lisa Parris, Community Producer Ilbijerri Theatre Company and Troy Walsh (Panninher/Palawa), Director, First Peoples, Creative Victoria.
The First Nations Reference Group will:
- Direct RAV towards a cross-cultural future via employment, programming and strategic direction.
- Act as a non-executive collective reporting directly to RAV’s board to provide guidance and oversight on First Nations arts practices, programs, policies and initiatives.
- Ensure that First Nations cultural authority, practices, and knowledge are embedded at the heart of Victoria’s creative industries.
- Ensures RAV remains accountable to First Nations communities and maintains appropriate cultural protocols in its work.
The recruitment of the group was guided by Richard J Frankland, a respected First Nations creative and working with Songlines Aboriginal Music and Ilbijerri Theatre Company through in person and online community conversations.
“When you have art you have voice, with voice comes freedom, with freedom comes responsibility.”
—Richard J Frankland
Image: First Nations Reference Group members and RAV Staff and Board Members at the inaugural online meeting 11 December 2025. Not pictured: Bradley Brown, Troy Walsh, Tom Molyneux, Brett Clarke and Nikita Moore.
The First Nations Reference Group is an initiative of Regional Arts Victoria with Songlines Aboriginal Music and Ilbijerri Theatre Company.
