Oration
IPAA Victoria’s Oration was established to acknowledge and honour significant and enduring contributions to First Nations communities and public administration in Victoria.
About
Acknowledging the rich cultural history of First Nations Peoples
Established in 2013, the IPAA Victoria Alick and Merle Jackomos Oration was in honour of Alick and Merle Jackomos, who together made an immense contribution to Aboriginal communities in Victoria and around Australia.
To further recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members who have made an outstanding contribution to Victoria, the Jackomos family and the IPAA Victoria Aboriginal Advisory Committee have established a biennial Oration series. The Orations will examine the role that public administration can play in driving improved outcomes for, and supporting leadership by, First Nations peoples.
2022: The Uncle Reg and Aunty Walda Blow Oration
To further recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members who have made an outstanding contribution to Victoria, the Jackomos family and the IPAA Victoria Aboriginal Advisory Committee have established a biennial Oration series. The Orations will examine the role that public administration can play in driving improved outcomes for, and supporting leadership by, First Nations peoples.
Uncle Reg Blow
A caring and pragmatic healer, Uncle Reg Blow was a Kombumerri and Gureng Gureng Elder, who dedicated years of service in the public sector, including heading a new Aboriginal Affairs Unit at the Department of Premier and Cabinet. In 1988, he oversaw the introduction of Aboriginal Community Justice Panels, which continue to provide state-wide support to First Nations people in custody. Over his enviable career, Uncle Reg Blow was CEO of the Aborigines Advancement League and a leader in the Aboriginal Community Elders Service, where he ran day programs and established the Aboriginal Elders Choir. Uncle Reg was inducted to the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll in 2012.
Aunty Walda Blow
A proud Yorta Yorta and Wemba Wemba Elder, Aunty Walda Blow dedicated much of her life to empowering other woman and advancing Aboriginal affairs in Victoria. Over the course of her career in the public service, she was involved in the Aboriginal Advancement League, Elizabeth Hoffman House, the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) and the Victorian and National Councils of Churches. Aunty Walda Blow’s significant achievements were recognised in 2012 when she was inducted to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, and in 2014 when she was inducted to the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll.
Event
The Uncle Reg and Aunty Walda Blow Oration
25 October 2022
Our esteemed speakers explored themes of Treaty, self-determination and truth-telling at the Uncle Reg and Aunty Walda Blow Oration.
Past Orations
- Andrew Jackomos, Special Adviser for Aboriginal Self Determination Aboriginal Victoria – 2013
- Professor Kerry Arabena, Chair, Indigenous Health, Onemda VicHealth Koori Health Unit – 2015
- Tanya Hosch, General Manager of Inclusion and Social Policy, AFL – 2017
- Jill Gallagher, Commissioner, Victorian Treaty Advancement Commission – 2018
2018 Jackomos Oration
The 2018 Oration was given by Jill Gallagher AO. Jill has dedicated her life to advocating for self-determination outcomes on behalf of the Victorian Aboriginal community. She has spent the past 20 years advancing Aboriginal health and wellbeing on behalf of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, including 14 years as CEO. Jill’s outstanding contribution to the community has been recognised with induction into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2009, awarding of the Order of Australia in 2013, and induction into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll in 2015.
2017 Jackomos Oration
IPAA’s Jackomos Oration is given in honour of Alick and Merle Jackomos who together made an immense contribution to Indigenous communities in Victoria and around Australia. Our biennial Oration examines at the particular role that public administration can play in the reconciliation process.
