Victoria University launches First Nations Action Plan

Victoria University’s (VU) Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker and Director of VU’s Moondani Balluk Indigenous Academic Unit Karen Jackson have jointly launched VU’s First Nations Action Plan 2025-2028.  

The new First Nations Action Plan aligns with the University’s strategic commitment to Protecting Country. 

The plan advocates privileging First Nations Peoples cultural practices and guidance to the University from Elders and Knowledge Holders on learning, teaching, research, and community. 

Yorta Yorta woman Ms Jackson led the development of the plan, which was done in consultation with First Nations students and staff at VU. Ms Jackon says:

The First Nations Action Plan is a crucial step in acknowledging the need for positive and progressive change, and working together with commitment, connection and courage. The plan will drive positive outcomes for the lives of First Nations students and staff.

We are asking non–First Nations students and staff to listen deeply, do the heavy-lifting and seek out the many available tools that are required to meet these challenges. 

The First Nations Action Plan is a whole-of-university undertaking, with actions across five key areas, including:  

• Achieving steady, incremental year-on-year growth of First Nations students and colleagues at VU 
• Ensuring that the retention and success rates of First Nations students match or surpass non–First Nations students 
• Upgrading and expanding the existing Aboriginal History Archive (AHA) to enhance its global impact, influence and accessibility 
• Extending First Nations-led research; increase student pathways to doctoral degrees and post-doctoral employment; create national and international research collaborations  
• Fostering deep connections and relationships with First Nations partners, organisations and communities  

Professor Shoemaker said he was proud to jointly announce the inaugural plan. 

“With the First Nations Action Plan we make a renewed and focused commitment to listen carefully to our First Nations colleagues, and to focus on the application of First Nations knowledges on the way we grow, learn and teach,” Professor Shoemaker said. 

More than 350 First Nations students choose to study at VU – the University has the highest success rate for its First Nations higher education students in the country at 87.1 per cent, with our TAFE students experiencing an 86.2 per cent success rate. 

VU Bachelor of Biomedicine student Tahnee Towers is a First Nations student who credits both Moondani Balluk and the VU Block Model to her ongoing success.  

“It has been an amazing resource and culturally safe space. It’s a place where connection with other strong, deadly mob is possible. It is a place where visionary leaders have shaped historic change. It is incredibly inspiring to stand among these giants,” she said.