First Nations community engagement
We would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri, Bunurong, Wadawurrung, Yorta Yorta and Gunai Kurnai peoples who are the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waterways where our centres are located.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise and value the many contributions that Traditional Custodians make to Victorian communities each day.
Services for First Nations community members
We warmly welcome all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Victoria to our services. We understand that you have a choice of providers when seeking services and hope that you will consider us when you need support.
All our services, including counselling and family dispute resolution (mediation) are provided in culturally safe ways, with guidance from our First Nations Engagement Specialists.
We also partner with First Nations community organisations to provide specialised programs such as baby massage groups for parents, family members and extended kin.
Our Commitment
to First Nations Peoples
In 2025, our Board endorsed a new Statement of Commitment to First Nations Peoples of Australia.
The statement was developed after a year of deep listening among our team, and reflection on how to capture RAV’s commitment to First Nations peoples.
It is a promise to First Nations clients, staff and communities that we will continue to show up with humility, courage and care – with relationships always at the centre of the journey.
Celebrating our First Nations connections
We’re delighted to share that Relationships Australia Victoria commissioned a unique artwork this year by Emrhan Tjapanangka Sultan, our First Nations Engagement Specialist and a distinguished Aboriginal artist.
Understanding, partnerships and trusted relationships
We are continually developing our understanding of how best to engage with First Nations peoples and communities, being always mindful of the importance of self-determination. Our centres engage with local Aboriginal communities in the regions in which we work, to develop deeper, trusted and more meaningful relationships that support community members accessing our services.
Our First Nations team grew in 2025 to include 4 First Nations staff members and 2 non-Indigenous allies. The team leads our First Nations initiatives - enhancing cultural fitness within the organisation, and strengthening relationships with community members and Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations. Our goals is to make our services more accessible and welcoming for First Nations communities.
Activities in 2024–25
In South Australia, we joined other Relationships Australia Indigenous Network members at the Living Kaurna Cultural Centre at Warriparinga for 2 days of yarning. The national network includes First Nations and non-Indigenous staff members from across the 8 Relationships Australia state and territory organisations. It upholds truth telling and deep listening as core principles in our work with First Nations staff, clients and communities. This year's yarning focused on cultural fitness and cultural supervision/mentoring with a commitment from all to introduce online First Nations cultural fitness training to be completed by all Relationships Australia staff across Australia.
Other activities included:
- Acknowledging Country Meaningfully – Training for our staff was developed by Will Austin, a Peek Woorroong Keerraay Woorroong First man and founder of First Nations-led organisation, Yarn Bark.
- Baby massage program – This is an infant massage program for First Nations mums and babies, delivered in partnership with the Barrbunin Beek Aboriginal Gathering Place as part of their First 1,000 Days program.
- Walk for Truth – We participated in the final stages of this event to mark the conclusion of the 4-year Yoorrook Justice Commission, Victoria and Australia’s first formal truth-telling inquiry, led by First Peoples.
- Sisters Day Out® – We connected with Aboriginal women at this community event hosted by Djirra, a culturally safe support organisations for First Nations people who have experienced family violence.
- Engagement – We participated in network meetings, community forums and local NAIDOC Week events.
- Yarn Ups – These are monthly reflective gatherings for First Nations staff members and allies to listen, share and reflect.
- Cultural walk – Staff attended a cultural walk and mediation in McCrae led by Living Culture, a not-for-profit Indigenous organisation.
Community Partnerships
Cultural Awareness Training
We source Cultural Awareness training for our staff from a number of providers in Victoria including the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA), Salt Consultancy and local Elders. This allows us to access culturally specific training to help us better meet the needs of Aboriginal communities and increase our cultural competency as an organisation.
Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Specialist also regularly delivers cultural education presentations to a range of external agencies, organisations and universities.
DRUMBEAT program
DRUMBEAT is a 10-week, evidence-based social and emotional learning program which utilises drumming to explore topics such as relationships, behaviour, emotions, communication and self-confidence.
DRUMBEAT programs have been run for Aboriginal women at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, alongside the Sisters Day In family violence prevention and wellbeing workshop facilitated by Djirra. DRUMBEAT women’s programs were also delivered alongside Elders, supporting a self-determination approach to narrative group therapy.
We welcome opportunities to deliver DRUMBEAT in partnership with new and existing community programs and at events.
Find out more about the DRUMBEAT program.
Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations
View a list of external Aboriginal community services and cooperatives, networks and gathering places, and Victorian State Government contacts, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.