Erin Rose is adventurous, enjoys exploring, travelling and is a proud Gunditjmara woman of Victoria’s south-west.
When spending time when Erin, you appreciate her passion for helping Aboriginal people and ensuring they are provided with a fair and culturally appropriate service.
In her role as an Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer, Erin is improving access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to legal assistance.
In achieving this, Erin is delivering services in new, fresh and different ways.
‘My role allows for new ideas, for more meaningful services and is a great opportunity to work in partnership with other stakeholders,’ Erin said.
‘I enjoy meeting with various Aboriginal programs and organisations to discuss the community need – rather than an unintentional assumption that we already know what the issues are – attending various outreach programs across Victoria in the Southern Metro and Hume Region, creating opportunities for, and, working with Community Legal Education and participating in Sisters Day Out – which is lots of fun.’
Erin’s role is one of three Aboriginal Community Engagement Officers at Victoria Legal Aid. Erin is based in Melbourne’s Civil Law Program, colleague Jessica McDonald is based in Morwell and Bairnsdale and a new recruit will be based in Mildura.
The two-year pilot program supports the delivery of legal assistance services in family and civil law to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
When asked what attracted her to the role, Erin said: ‘The opportunity to work in a role where I can take my work and services out into the community, to engage with the community and increase their understanding and confidence in addressing their legal need.’
National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation runs annually from 27 May to 3 June. These dates that bookend the week are significant milestones in the reconciliation journey, the 1967 referendum and the historic Mabo decision, respectively.
‘For me, the week is a significant milestone that is part of a very long journey for Aboriginal people in the country, and I think, demonstrates the strength and fight we continue to have,’ Erin says.
‘I encourage everyone to get involved with the week, learn new things, celebrate the great achievements that Aboriginal people continue to fight for, enjoy our cultural celebrations and broaden your knowledge.’
During the week, public events are being held across the country. You can view a list of activities and ideas on the Reconciliation Australia .
Read our Reconciliation Action Plan
You can download the Reconciliation Action Plan 2015–2018 (pdf, 1.41 MB) or the accessible Word version.
Reviewed 14 April 2022