Build a nuanced cultural awareness about First Nations people to foster respect and understanding in Victoria’s court system.
This program will support you to take a culturally informed approach to your role and to more deeply understand First Nations peoples’ experience of the courts and the justice system.
In this expert-led workshop, you will build knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of First Nations people’s experiences of the law and promote an equitable justice system for all.
You will learn about:
- Aboriginal culture and identity
- Self-determination
- Terminology and definitions
- Pre-colonisation and post-colonial history
- Closing the gap
- Voice, treaty and truth in Victoria
- Specific issues relevant to First Nations people’s experiences of the justice system relevant to you as a judicial officer.
This program is essential for new appointees but all judicial officers are welcome to attend.
Speakers.
Leon Egan is a proud Aboriginal man with strong strong Yorta Yorta/Bangerang, Wiradjuri, and Gunditjmara heritage. Leon was born in Wagga Wagga, NSW which sits on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri Peoples & moved to Melbourne when was 13 and now sees himself as a true Melbournian. As a result of his journey to date, Leon has become a well-respected Indigenous Cultural Awareness Education facilitator in the best interest of true reconciliation. A real passion came alive to share his culture and Aboriginal identity through his own lived experiences. A passion that still burns today. Leon had a successful and rewarding career with Telstra from age 17 to 34 working in various roles over an 18-year period. In an enormous career change, he joined Victoria Police in early 2004, where he stayed until 2009, when he decided a police career was not for him and took leave without pay before ultimately resigning in 2011. During this period, he took an opportunity to work for AFL Victoria as an ‘Indigenous Program Manager’ where he worked closely with the Victorian Aboriginal community to support growth, development and career pathways for young Aboriginal boys who aspired to play AFL Football. Leon briefly left AFL Victoria from 2012 through 2013, joining the Clontarf Foundation from 2012 through 2013, a successful mentoring program for Secondary School aged Indigenous boys across Australia. Leon rejoined the AFL in 2013 within AFL SportsReady an Employment, Education & Training Company that has supported many thousands of Aboriginal young people with traineeship employment opportunities. This role was the catalyst for Leon to share his story in an Indigenous Cultural Awareness Education setting. Leon founded his consultancy company Bundyi Giilang [pronounced – BOOND-YE GEELANG] in 2018. Bundyi Giilang (“Share My, Our Story”) stems from Wiradjuri language, the language and traditional lands of both of his Grandmothers. From 2018 to 2019 Leon also joined the AFL Players Association in the role of Indigenous Relationship Manager, where he worked closely with all 84 Indigenous AFL Players whilst also continuing to facilitate training on a part-time basis. Leon left the AFL in 2019 to assist with the establishment of the 100% Indigenous-owned Wara Paring Civil, a project aimed to provide employment opportunities for Indigenous youth, and then in 2023 established a new certified Indigenous business Banburra (“to dig”). Leon’s commitment and passion for facilitating Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training has never been stronger and he continues to Bundyi Giilang (Share Aboriginal Australia’s/His Story) to captive audiences.
Leon Egan is a proud Aboriginal man with strong strong Yorta Yorta/Bangerang, Wiradjuri, and Gunditjmara heritage. Leon was born in Wagga Wagga, NSW which sits on the traditional lands of the Wiradjuri Peoples & moved to Melbourne when was 13 and now sees himself as a true Melbournian. As a result of his journey to date, Leon has become a well-respected Indigenous Cultural Awareness Education facilitator in the best interest of true reconciliation. A real passion came alive to share his culture and Aboriginal identity through his own lived experiences. A passion that still burns today. Leon had a successful and rewarding career with Telstra from age 17 to 34 working in various roles over an 18-year period. In an enormous career change, he joined Victoria Police in early 2004, where he stayed until 2009, when he decided a police career was not for him and took leave without pay before ultimately resigning in 2011. During this period, he took an opportunity to work for AFL Victoria as an ‘Indigenous Program Manager’ where he worked closely with the Victorian Aboriginal community to support growth, development and career pathways for young Aboriginal boys who aspired to play AFL Football. Leon briefly left AFL Victoria from 2012 through 2013, joining the Clontarf Foundation from 2012 through 2013, a successful mentoring program for Secondary School aged Indigenous boys across Australia. Leon rejoined the AFL in 2013 within AFL SportsReady an Employment, Education & Training Company that has supported many thousands of Aboriginal young people with traineeship employment opportunities. This role was the catalyst for Leon to share his story in an Indigenous Cultural Awareness Education setting. Leon founded his consultancy company Bundyi Giilang [pronounced – BOOND-YE GEELANG] in 2018. Bundyi Giilang (“Share My, Our Story”) stems from Wiradjuri language, the language and traditional lands of both of his Grandmothers. From 2018 to 2019 Leon also joined the AFL Players Association in the role of Indigenous Relationship Manager, where he worked closely with all 84 Indigenous AFL Players whilst also continuing to facilitate training on a part-time basis. Leon left the AFL in 2019 to assist with the establishment of the 100% Indigenous-owned Wara Paring Civil, a project aimed to provide employment opportunities for Indigenous youth, and then in 2023 established a new certified Indigenous business Banburra (“to dig”). Leon’s commitment and passion for facilitating Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training has never been stronger and he continues to Bundyi Giilang (Share Aboriginal Australia’s/His Story) to captive audiences.