Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated facilitator Merle Miller, Victorian Aboriginal Educational Association Incorporated Marrung team leader Jarrod Stains, and acting Koorie education co-ordinator Misti Gow at the launch event.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
A new 10-year education plan aims to improve outcomes for First Nations students, with educators across Victoria coming together in Shepparton to shape how it will be put into practice.
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The Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan 2026-2036 will guide efforts to help First Nations students complete school and progress to further education and careers, with a focus on creating culturally safe and supportive learning environments.
Victorian Department of Education Koorie education manager Larissa Falla said the plan aimed to support First Nations people from “cradle to career”.
“The education system excluded First Nations people for a long time,” she said.
“We know how important education is.”
Educators from government, independent and Catholic schools gathered for a regional roadshow on October 27, following the strategy’s launch in Melbourne on September 15.
The plan marks a shift from the previous 10-year strategy, which focused solely on government schools, by bringing all three education sectors together under a shared framework.
Ms Falla said the broader approach presented an opportunity to improve support for First Nations learners across the state.
“We’ve got a long way to go. We’ve got a lot to do to shape the system,” she said.
“But this is a real opportunity for us to make a difference.”
The strategy is guided by three principles: self-determination, cultural safety and responsiveness, and systemic transformation.
Ms Falla said the plan was about ensuring First Nations students felt a sense of belonging in their learning environments, while helping all students develop a deeper understanding of Aboriginal history and culture.
“First Nations history, culture, and perspectives is important for everyone, regardless of whether or not they’re First Nations or not,” she said.
A statewide implementation plan will follow, with the regional roadshows providing an opportunity for educators to share ideas and discuss how they can work together to improve outcomes.
“Today is really the start of capturing what people think. How can we work together? How can we collaborate to make sure that our sectors are all joined up and aligned in the way that we support First Nations learners?” Ms Falla said.
She said ongoing consultation with First Nations communities would be central to the process.
“We’ll be forever checking back in with community … to make sure that it’s informed by community,” she said.
Goulburn Valley Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group chair Anne Atkinson said she was excited about what the new plan would bring to the region.
“As the LAECG chair for Goulburn Valley, representing the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc, I’m very excited for what Marrung 2026-2036 will bring to our community,” she said.
“This strategy builds on longstanding education partnerships between community and government.
“The voices of the Goulburn Valley community are evident in the strategy, and we look forward to the outcomes implementation will deliver locally.”
Educators from government, independent and Catholic schools gathered for a regional roadshow detailing the new Marrung Aboriginal Education Plan.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Victorian Department of Education Goulburn Area, North East Victoria Region area executive director Sharon Hensgen-Smith and Victorian Department of Education director of Koorie education Tom Cazaly.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
