Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council
The Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council (the Council) was created under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 to ensure that Aboriginal people throughout Victoria play a central role in the protection and management of their heritage. The Council works with key partners to influence policy and build a better understanding and appreciation of Victoria’s rich Aboriginal heritage.
The Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council's strategic plan 2011-2014 (PDF 552 KB) or (Word 212 KB) was launched on 26 May 2011. It is the Council's second strategic plan, following the Council's strategic plan 2008-2011 (PDF 569 KB) which was launched on 28 May 2008.
Who are the Council Members?
The Council is comprised of up to eleven Traditional Owners appointed by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. All members are resident in Victoria, and have extensive knowledge and experience in cultural heritage management.
Learn about the individual members by reading the Council member biographies (Word 50 KB). For other information about the Council itself, see the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council information sheet (Word 54 KB).
What does the Council do?
The Council plays an important role in the implementation of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. The Council's principal functions are:
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making decisions on Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) applications. Read the Council's General Principles for RAP decision making (Word 400 KB) and Council's Fact sheet on registration of multiple RAPs for a single area (Word 38 KB)
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providing advice to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs about the protection and management of Aboriginal cultural heritage. Read more about the Council's advisory functions.
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promoting public awareness and understanding about Aboriginal cultural heritage
Latest News and More Information
March 2013 - Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation appointed as RAP for its full application area (Word 246 KB)
March 2013 - Council makes decisions on RAP applications in Victoria's north-east (Word 47 KB) and far east Gippsland (Word 42 KB)
March 2013 - Update regarding the further area for which Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation is a RAP (Word 255 KB)
1 March 2013 - Council invites submissions to its discussion paper, Bringing our Ancestors Home: Managing and returning Ancestral Remains in Victoria since the commencement of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (PDF 1.4 MB) or (Word 95 KB)
Read about other news from the VAHC.
Contacting the Council
You can contact the Council via the Secretariat by:
Post: Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council
Aboriginal Affairs Victoria
GPO Box 2392
MELBOURNE VIC 3001
Email: vahc@dpcd.vic.gov.au
Fax: (03) 9208 3243