Welcoming Barring-ga Balert

Barring-ga Balert is the new name for the dedicated First Peoples directorate at Victoria Legal Aid.

In the Boonwurrung language, ‘barring-ga balert’ means ‘journey, walking the path of strength’.

This name reflects the team’s evolution into a directorate of Victoria Legal Aid.

It represents the directorate’s cultural identity, leadership and purpose. It also symbolises its growth and continuity.

The adoption of a Boonwurrung language name affirms cultural respect, local grounding and a commitment to walk respectfully with First Peoples communities.

Acting Executive Director Melissa Harrison says language is deeply connected to identity, Country, culture and belonging.

‘Making First Peoples language visible within our organisation is one important way we can strengthen cultural identity,’ said Melissa.

It also creates a more culturally safe and inclusive environment for our people and communities.’

About Barring-ga Balert

While the name of the directorate has changed, its function and governance has not.

Barring-ga Balert leads our work to strengthen culturally safe legal services for First Peoples.

The team also supports our organisation-wide cultural capability, reform and partnership with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations.

We acknowledge the leadership and expertise of First Peoples legal and support services and recognise that they are central to achieving better justice outcomes.

As a statutory authority serving many First Peoples clients, we have a responsibility to provide services and practices that are culturally safe, accessible and responsive.

Barring-ga Balert’s role is not to compete with Aboriginal community controlled legal organisations, but to strengthen cultural safety in our mainstream systems.

Melissa Harrison says the transition from First Nations Services to Barring-ga Balert is about strengthening the cultural identity of our First Peoples directorate, and providing greater clarity about our purpose within VLA.

‘It recognises the importance of First Peoples leadership, language and culture, while respecting the distinct role, authority and expertise of Aboriginal community controlled organisations.’

Transition to the use of First Peoples

We are also transitioning to the use of ‘First Peoples’ from ‘First Nations’.

The term First Peoples collectively refers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout Australia.

This change recognises the evolving preferences within the Victorian First Peoples community. It also aligns to language of the Victorian Treaty.

We have already started using First Peoples in Strategy 30 and other new content and publications.

We are also working through updating terminology in key sections of our website, intranet and internal systems.

More information

Find out more about:
• our helpline for First Peoples, 1300 MOB VLA
• our Aboriginal community education officers.