Protecting Country

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

Moondani Balluk

Moondani Balluk means ‘embrace people’ in the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people.

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.

Moondani Balluk Academic Unit
Moondani Balluk Academic Unit creates and fosters a culturally sensitive environment that welcomes, nurtures and recreates community, based on relationship to land, culture, law & elders.
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Courses & units with an Indigenous focus
Read about our courses and units that foreground Indigenous perspectives.
Aboriginal research & researchers
We are committed to an Indigenous research agenda of pursuing social justice outcomes through research within a framework of decolonisation.
A place to come together: the Moondani Balluk Centre reimagined
For the last few months, Building G has undergone a transformation. A new Moondani Balluk Centre has emerged.

Safety & 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

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, is partnering with VU to help address systemic issues around gender inequality and violence.
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.
Inclusion & belonging
Victoria University welcomes and celebrates the diverse perspectives, identities, cultural backgrounds, ages and experiences of our staff and students.