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Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation First Peoples’ Assembly Reserved Seat Member Elections

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What Is This Role?

The Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation Reserved Seat Member represents the Wamba Wemba people at the First Peoples’ Assembly within Gellung Warl. The role exists to make sure Wamba Wemba voices, priorities, culture and aspirations are heard and reflected in Treaty discussions, decision-making and negotiations with the State.

Reserved Members Start Dates

Gellung Warl will begin its work on 1 May 2026. Although Reserved Members may be selected before 1 May 2026 they will not be admitted as Reserved Members until 9.00am on 30 April 2026. The term aligns with the First Peoples’ Assembly framework

About the Election

This is an election to elect the Reserve Seat holder for the Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation (WWAC) Reserve Seat on the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. As a WWAC member you may be eligible to vote in this election.

How to Register to Vote

If you would like to vote in this election, please complete this google form to register your contact details: Click here to register to vote 

The election Returning Officer will check that you are eligible to vote in this election. If you are, you will receive a voting link sent to the email address you entered in the Google Form.

How do I vote?

When the Returning Officer has checked that you are eligible to vote in the election, you will be emailed a voting link to the email address you entered in the Google Form. The email will come from “Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation Reserved Seat Election” and will have the following information:

Re: Voting Link and Information – WWAC First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria Reserved Seat Holder Election

Thank you for registering to vote in the Wamba Wemba First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria Reserved Seat Holder Election. To vote, simply click on the link below and it will take you to the secure online voting page where you can submit your vote. 

The voting opens at Midday on Wednesday 7 January and closes at 5.00pm on Thursday 22 January (AEDT).

To vote click this link: [your unique voting link will appear here]

If the above link does not appear to work copy and paste it into your browser. If you still cannot access the voting link please contact me on the details listed below.

Important Security Warning: Do not forward this email because it contains your personal voting auto-sign-in link.

Kind regards,

Gavin Ryan

WWAC Reserved Seat Holder Election Returning Officer

I Don't Have Access to the Internet - How Can I Vote?

If you, or another WWAC member, wishes to vote but can’t register using the Google form (and/or provide an email address), call the voting number (03) 8592 9905 between 8am-8pm. The Returning Officer and election staff will transcribe the vote for you/them, after recording basic personal details to verify their eligibility. 

Where Does my Information go?

Information received by the Returning Officer and election staff from the registration form and/or given over the phone will be used to determine eligibility to vote in the election and to provide unique link to the online ballot. This information will be destroyed following the conclusion of the election period.  

What Happens if I Have a Question?

If you have any issues registering to vote or accessing your voting link, please contact the Returning Officer, Gavin Ryan at  Gavin.Ryan@oglgroup.com.au or on (03) 8592 9905.

Introducing the Candidates

Two members have nominated to stand in the elections to choose your next First Peoples Assembly representative; they are Jason Kelly and Nakia Firebrace.

If you are unsure about your eligibility or need assistance, please visit the website or contact the office on elections@wambawemba.com or contact 0499 047 944

I have been mentored all my life by my elders (many now passed) especially my grandmother, the famous Alice Kelly who received the 1988 National Aboriginal of the Year Award for her work. I bring local, state, National and International experience. I am the author of the resolution that delivered YooRook (itself a Wamba Wemba word for truth) Australia’s first truth commission. As a champion for the grassroots community I have never once in any of my roles assumed to know what’s best for mob but to listen and respond and carry mob voice as their representative.

If elected your representative I will immediately get to work by;

  • Establishing a NW TO working group to sort regional priorities beginning with Land Rights
  • Seek Assembly to secure Statewide water rights & secure Wamba Wemba shares for cultural flows to reinvigorate our water ways; lagoons, billabongs & inland areas that used to get natural flows. This will support re-creating safe clean habitat to bring back our plants & animals (totems) such as the platypus & Wiran (Red Tailed Black cockatoo).
  • Housing remains a priority, especially new housing for allocation to enable Independent supported living for our mob with disabilities and our elderly.
  • Wamba Wemba language to be taught at all schools in Wamba Wemba country.
  • Work with Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation to establish our own TO treaty negotiation team & add value to ensure self-determination for the Nation is at the forefront with negotiating all things on Wamba Wemba country beginning with land rights.
  • Ensure I am accessible to all Wamba Wemba people on both sides of the river.
  • Remain committed to informing by monthly reporting and receive direction from Wamba Wemba community on Treaty reform priorities.
  • Ensure all Wamba Wemba children are properly supported in school and hold not only the Education system but also the Justice department to account.

I have been involved in Treaty from day 1, I have the experience and skills and am ready to hit the ground running.

Hello My Wamba Wemba “Wiran Nation”

I have always been aware of Our Wamba Wemba Community Affairs. I understand the issues that have affected our peoples progress due to the Native title legislation and policies in the mid 1990’s. Being multi-nation I completely understand the hurt it caused but more importantly the commitment from Our Gnerricks and our community leaders back then and now to maintain the cause for our People.

Being the elected Chairperson in 2024 for our Wamba Wemba Nation is a privilege and honour, We as a Nation have faced many challenges from our local community and to state government expectations, and we have still risen above these obstacles and never forgotten who we are.

This role as a reserved seat holder for the Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation needs strong leadership and understanding to maintain the integrity and trust for Our community to thrive in the Treaty space in preparation and discussion. I have the skills and knowledge to engage All Wamba Wamba Nation peoples to create, capture and report the necessary feedback directly from the community. I have strong skills in understanding current Victorian legislation regarding Treaty and have a culturally strong network of Aboriginal peoples in the State to ensure that all Wamba Wemba Nation needs and sovereignty are protected and well supported in the Treaty process.

I am committed to being on Kurrek at the WWAC Office which is the only way to ensure all Wamba Wemba members have a contact point to yarn with me directly regarding Treaty with its concerns and construct for Wamba Wemba people to represent Our Wamba Affairs in the Treaty readiness and future development for negotiations when appropriate.

“Wiran Proud – Wiran Strong”

Jason Kelly

I have been mentored all my life by my elders (many now passed) especially my grandmother, the famous Alice Kelly who received the 1988 National Aboriginal of the Year Award for her work. I bring local, state, National and International experience. I am the author of the resolution that delivered YooRook (itself a Wamba Wemba word for truth) Australia’s first truth commission. As a champion for the grassroots community I have never once in any of my roles assumed to know what’s best for mob but to listen and respond and carry mob voice as their representative.

If elected your representative I will immediately get to work by;

  • Establishing a NW TO working group to sort regional priorities beginning with Land Rights
  • Seek Assembly to secure Statewide water rights & secure Wamba Wemba shares for cultural flows to reinvigorate our water ways; lagoons, billabongs & inland areas that used to get natural flows. This will support re-creating safe clean habitat to bring back our plants & animals (totems) such as the platypus & Wiran (Red Tailed Black cockatoo).
  • Housing remains a priority, especially new housing for allocation to enable Independent supported living for our mob with disabilities and our elderly.
  • Wamba Wemba language to be taught at all schools in Wamba Wemba country.
  • Work with Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation to establish our own TO treaty negotiation team & add value to ensure self-determination for the Nation is at the forefront with negotiating all things on Wamba Wemba country beginning with land rights.
  • Ensure I am accessible to all Wamba Wemba people on both sides of the river.
  • Remain committed to informing by monthly reporting and receive direction from Wamba Wemba community on Treaty reform priorities.
  • Ensure all Wamba Wemba children are properly supported in school and hold not only the Education system but also the Justice department to account.

I have been involved in Treaty from day 1, I have the experience and skills and am ready to hit the ground running.

Nakia Firebrace

Hello My Wamba Wemba “Wiran Nation”

I have always been aware of Our Wamba Wemba Community Affairs. I understand the issues that have affected our peoples progress due to the Native title legislation and policies in the mid 1990’s. Being multi-nation I completely understand the hurt it caused but more importantly the commitment from Our Gnerricks and our community leaders back then and now to maintain the cause for our People.

Being the elected Chairperson in 2024 for our Wamba Wemba Nation is a privilege and honour, We as a Nation have faced many challenges from our local community and to state government expectations, and we have still risen above these obstacles and never forgotten who we are.

This role as a reserved seat holder for the Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation needs strong leadership and understanding to maintain the integrity and trust for Our community to thrive in the Treaty space in preparation and discussion. I have the skills and knowledge to engage All Wamba Wamba Nation peoples to create, capture and report the necessary feedback directly from the community. I have strong skills in understanding current Victorian legislation regarding Treaty and have a culturally strong network of Aboriginal peoples in the State to ensure that all Wamba Wemba Nation needs and sovereignty are protected and well supported in the Treaty process.

I am committed to being on Kurrek at the WWAC Office which is the only way to ensure all Wamba Wemba members have a contact point to yarn with me directly regarding Treaty with its concerns and construct for Wamba Wemba people to represent Our Wamba Affairs in the Treaty readiness and future development for negotiations when appropriate.

“Wiran Proud – Wiran Strong”