“I picked apricots in Mooroopna, but I only lasted a week. Luckily, I was bad at it otherwise I might not be here.”
Looking back with a slight chuckle, Aunty Muriel Bamblett now lives in disbelief at all she has done.
She is chief executive of the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency, chair of the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care, and on too many committees for Aboriginal welfare to list.
The Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung, Boon Wurrung Elder could hardly fit more onto her impressive CV.
Yet another entry was added last weekend.
Aunty Muriel was named Person of the Year at the National NAIDOC Awards.
Held on Saturday, July 6, at Tarndanya (Adelaide) on Kaurna Yerta Country, the awards celebrated the achievements and outstanding contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to improving the lives of people in their communities and beyond.
“What it means to me ... it’s hard (to articulate) without getting choked up,” Aunty Muriel said.
“It’s the enormity of it — as an Aboriginal person, it’s not just for you, it’s the people you work with, it’s those that have paved the way before you and feeling their spirit around you and a sense of pride.”
Aunty Muriel has led VACCA as chief executive since 1999, championing and advancing the interests of Aboriginal children, families and young people in Victoria.
“The ’90s was a time when child welfare numbers were high, and we weren’t prevailing in any direction to government,” she said.
“I think for me the time was right to come into an organisation and be able to make changes.”
Since then, VACCA has expanded its services and grown to over 1000 employees, offering more than 80 programs across Victoria.
As the leading advocate for Aboriginal children in the state, VACCA has fought for the rights of Aboriginal children to be raised in their own culture, surrounded by family and community.
Under Aunty Muriel’s leadership, significant policy and legislative reforms have been achieved in Victoria.
These include changes to the law that recognise the importance of culture and community for Aboriginal children, improved decision-making processes for Aboriginal children, and the implementation of cultural support plans for Aboriginal children in out-of-home care.
Undoubtedly, she’s an influential woman in her own right, but her drive and passion are arguably inherited.
“I was brought up with a strong Aboriginal family behind me, including my grandmother Aunty Violet Harrison, who is one of the figures painted on the murals in Shepparton,” Aunty Muriel said.
“I’m one of those people that says, ‘How can I make things better?’ and I do that by looking at systems and processes.
“My children are into art and music. I don’t have those talents, but I put strategies into the room.
“Working in Aboriginal affairs, we all have something different to bring to the room, but you need everybody working together.”
Aunty Muriel is inspiring the next generation of proud, strong leaders to continue this legacy of advocacy and empowerment.
Thankfully, for these upcoming pioneers, she pivoted her career direction when she did.
The orchard was no place for a woman possessed.
Because Aunty Muriel is a force of nature herself, with an unwavering commitment to ensuring a brighter future for Aboriginal families in Victoria.
“At my age — I wish I were 20 years younger inheriting now — we’re just on the cusp,” she said.
“Victoria is going to shine a leading light in representation and Aboriginal leadership ... exciting times ahead.”
For a complete list of National NAIDOC Week Awards winners, visit www.naidoc.org.au/awards/winner-profiles