Consultative and advisory bodies

The University of Melbourne has four main consultative and advisory bodies to guide its Indigenous Strategy agenda:

  • First Peoples Advisory Group
  • Committee of Associate Deans (Indigenous)
  • Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Oversight Committee
  • Australian Place Partnerships Executive Steering Committee

First Peoples Advisory Group

The First Peoples Advisory Group is comprised of First Peoples representatives from the lands on which the University of Melbourne’s campuses and key activities are located, representatives from key Indigenous organisations, Elders and community leaders with whom the University has a long-standing relationship, and student representatives.

The First Peoples Advisory Group advises the University on:

  • Matters raised by Traditional Owners in support of the University’s teaching and learning, research and engagement activities and priorities.
  • Provide cultural oversight of the University’s Indigenous strategies and the University’s engagement with Indigenous knowledge.
  • Advise the University on appropriate engagement with Traditional Owner groups and cultural and community protocols.

This forum also includes representation from the University of Melbourne, including the Vice-Chancellor, Provost, and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) (Chair).

The University of Melbourne acknowledges and is grateful to the Traditional Owners, Elders and Knowledge Holders of all Indigenous nations and clans who have been instrumental in our reconciliation journey.

Committee of Associate Deans (Indigenous)

The Committee of Associate Deans (Indigenous) is a forum for consultation and coordination between faculties and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) on the development of the academic program of the University as it relates to Indigenous matters.

The Committee of Associate Deans (Indigenous) will:

  • Support academic divisional alignment with University-wide Indigenous strategies and plans through implementing these at the academic divisional level and advising on:
    • Issues that impact Indigenous student participation, success and completion rates at the divisional level and Indigenous student support needs and services;
    • Indigenous academic and professional staff numbers, classification, distribution and career trajectories in their faculties/schools; and
    • Academic divisions’ research performance related to Indigenous matters.
  • Coordinate and review the implementation of Divisional Indigenous Development Plans.
  • Consider the impacts of changes to the operating context of the University on academic divisions, and on Indigenous higher education at the local level, and make recommendations to the Indigenous Strategy Reference Group for changes to University strategic positioning, policy or procedures to address these.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Oversight Committee

The Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Oversight Committee advises the Provost on the implementation of the University's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Policy, which outlines the principles by which the University will manage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ancestral Remains and cultural heritage, including with respect to the built and landscape environment.

This Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Oversight Committee will:

  • Implement and monitor compliance with the University's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Policy and provide advice in relation to strategic priorities and resource requirements;
  • Ensure the development and alignment of policy and its implementation with the principles and goals of the University's Indigenous Strategy and relevant government legislation and international frameworks; and
  • Advise on the development of protocols and procedures to provide University staff with practical guidance as to:
    • their own and the University's obligations under relevant legislation, and;
    • the overall management of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage by the University and the central role of the VAHC in managing Ancestral Remains and secret or sacred objects.

Australian Place Partnerships Executive Steering Committee

The Australian Place Partnerships Executive Steering Committee serves as the body responsible for approving and making decisions on matters concerning the University's three Place partnership regions: Narrm, Goulburn Valley, and Northeast Arnhem Land.

Each region has an Academic Advisory Group or Groups (Advisory Groups) established with a primary emphasis on conducting research, advancing education, and identifying procurement opportunities, with a commitment to reporting on initiatives within the region.

The Committee's responsibilities include:

  • Provide informed advice to the University Executive to advance key partnership activities across the three regions.
  • Ensuring the realisation of Indigenous self-determination principles through collaborative efforts and the co-design of activities that respect Indigenous intellectual and cultural property.
  • Providing expert guidance on the development of strategic plans for engagement, education, research, and co-designed programs led by communities and facilitated through the respective Advisory Groups.
  • Monitoring and assessing the performance of the Advisory Groups in implementing the objectives and strategies outlined in the partnership activities.
  • Participating in decisions related to the allocation of resources, including funding and personnel, to support the successful execution of partnership initiatives.
  • Communicating emerging and future opportunities that warrant further investigation.
  • Consenting to and coordinating the communication of priority tasks, such as strategies and reviews, with both internal and external partners through mutually agreed-upon schedules.
  • Advocating for the importance of Indigenous partnerships within the broader university community and beyond, promoting awareness and understanding.
  • Approving use of funds from the Central Partnership Fund for seeding Indigenous projects and research collaborations for the three place regions.
  • Monitoring the Central Indigenous Partnership Fund’s allocation once it’s established.