Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing has congratulated Churchill resident and Taungurung Traditional Owner Mick Harding for his reappointment to the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council.

The Council is Australia’s only statutory decision-making authority with membership comprised exclusively of Traditional Owners.

Ms Shing said that Council members provided advice to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs on cultural heritage matters, appointed Registered Aboriginal Parties and promoted awareness and understanding of Victoria’s rich Aboriginal heritage.

Mr Harding is chair of the Council, a member of the Taungurung Clans Aboriginal Corporation and is actively involved in promoting Aboriginal culture through his art and storytelling.

Traditional Owners are encouraged to consider applying for one of two remaining positions available on the Council.

Victorian residents with traditional or familial links to an area in Victoria, extensive knowledge of Aboriginal cultural heritage, and time to commit to council duties are encouraged to apply before 26 October 2015.

For more information, please visit www.dpc.vic.gov.au/EOIforVictorianAboriginalHeritageCouncil

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“The Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council is comprised entirely of Victorian Aboriginal Traditional Owners, and is the only one of its kind in Australia.”

“Through the Council, Mick Harding has done great work in protecting and promoting Aboriginal cultural heritage and I congratulate him on his well-deserved reappointment.”