Protecting Country: A driver of our strategy

Progressive inclusivity
Indigenous achievement
Student-centric values
Philanthropy goals
Sustainability practice

Protecting Country is about people, place and planet.

We have a responsibility to respect and listen to First Nations voices and standpoints and, in all that we do, improve the health and wellbeing of the planet we share. Everything we do and every decision we make is underpinned by a commitment to Protecting Country. Country is both a place of belonging and a way of believing, as well as contributing to the conservation of critical environmental and diverse cultural assets.

It is a community-driven movement towards long-term social, cultural, physical and economic prosperity and sustainability.

We honour our deep diversity as a foundation for collaboration and social progress. This is central to our Protecting Country commitment.

First Nations Voice, Treaty, Truth

Victoria University stands in solidarity with all First Nations peoples. This is Aboriginal land, and we have a deep respect for the voices and knowledge that have echoed through this country for many thousands of generations. 

We emphasise our Council's stated and continuing commitment to the Uluru Statement from the Heart and Victoria University’s own strategic aim of Protecting Country.

First Nations Voice, Treaty, and Truth guides us. We do not shy away from this.  

We recommit to moving forward in close collaboration with First Nations students, colleagues and community: in learning; in teaching; in research; in employment; in community relationships. That is our approved position. It has not changed. 

Safety and Wellbeing Resources

We urge allies not to rely unduly on First Nations peoples for explanation, solace or support. There is a strong cultural load being borne at this time, and we need to respect it. 

If you need support, the following resources are available: 

First Nations peoples Non-Indigenous allies

 

Moondani Balluk

Moondani Balluk means ‘embrace people’ in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people. Our vision for the Moondani Balluk Academic Unit is to create and foster a culturally sensitive environment that welcomes, nurtures and recreates community, based on relationship to land, culture, law and elders.

We share Aboriginal knowledge and strive to integrate Aboriginal practices into our curricula, research and work. We work towards creating a respectful community for all people through mutually engaged relationships, while pursuing political and social justice, equity, and access to education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Courses & units with an Indigenous focus

Read about our courses and units that foreground Indigenous perspectives.

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Aboriginal research & researchers

We are committed to an Indigenous research agenda of pursuing social justice outcomes through research within a framework of decolonisation.

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Paola Balla's Moondani Balluk design: The original design was fitted into the VU triangle logo so that it showed the embodying relationship between the University and Moondani Balluk & the meaning of “embracing people”- being embraced by VU

New Moondani Balluk Centre

For the last few months, Building G has undergone a transformation. Behind the hoarding, the hammering and the buzz of activity, a new Moondani Balluk Centre is almost ready to emerge.

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Progressive inclusivity

Victoria University champions progressive inclusivity with a deep pride for our diverse community.

Our students come from over 90 cultural backgrounds, and 51% are the first in their families to go to university. These unique demographics are behind Victoria University’s innovative First Year College and VU Block Model®, where students focus on one subject at a time over four weeks in learner-centred classes.

We believe in learning and working environments where everyone feels welcome, comfortable, and heard. That includes fostering gender and racial equality, creating safer spaces for the gender diverse and LGBTQIA+ communities, and making VU accessible for those with a disability.

At VU, education comes with opportunity, equality and excellence.

Our Watch partnership

Our Watch, a national leader in the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia, is partnering with Victoria University to help address systemic issues around gender inequality and violence.

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Inclusion & belonging

Victoria University welcomes and celebrates the diverse perspectives, identities, cultural backgrounds, ages and experiences of our staff and students.

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VU Block Model

Inspired by similar models across North America and Europe, the award-winning VU Block Model® is a proven success with students, educators and employers.

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