Making the Victorian Treaty

Ngarra Murray is a proud Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Dhudhuroa and Dja Dja Wurrung. Ngarra is the elected Co-Chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. She lives and works on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country, representing Aboriginal communities in the Metropolitan region. As Co-Chair, Ngarra is a key spokesperson for the Assembly, committed to amplifying community voices and supporting the path to Treaties in Victoria. She is passionate about sovereignty, community mobilisation, and nation-building.

Before her leadership at the Assembly, Ngarra was Executive Lead of the First Peoples’ Program at Oxfam Australia, where she championed the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples nationally and globally. With over two decades of experience in advocacy, community engagement and cultural leadership, Ngarra has held roles at The University of Melbourne, City of Melbourne, and Museum Victoria. She is an Alumni of the Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership and has served on various national committees.

Nerita Waight is a proud Yorta Yorta and Narrandjeri woman. She is CEO of VALS, and is an experienced solicitor with a demonstrated history of working in the legal and community services industry. As CEO, Nerita has overseen the establishment of our dedicated youth legal practice Balit Ngulu and our Wirraway Police and Prison Accountability Practice which has supported clients on several high-profile Coronial Inquests, alongside the strengthening of VALS’ advocacy. Nerita is also Chair of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS), elected member of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria for Metropolitan Melbourne, Treaty Negotiator and Treaty Co-Convenor.