Members of the community came together in Mooroopna on Sunday afternoon for a smoking ceremony to “give strength” to the family of Veronica Marie Nelson, who died in custody in Melbourne in 2020.
The ceremony for the Gunditjmara, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta woman was held at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve on the eve of Coroners Court findings into her death, which were handed down on Monday, January 30.
Ms Nelson, originally from the Shepparton-Mooroopna area, died while in custody at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre early on January 2, 2020, after being arrested on suspicion of shoplifting.
Sunday’s ceremony was attended by Veronica’s mother, Aunty Donna Nelson, and Coroners Court of Victoria Koori engagement unit manager and Yuin man Troy Williamson.
Yorta Yorta Elder Uncle Bobby Nicholls opened the ceremony and said Veronica’s unexpected death while in custody had brought renewed urgency to reform Victoria’s bail laws.
“Veronica belonged to a large family, with six siblings and 10 children that she loved and cared for as her own,” he said.
“She was closely connected to her community, and her avoidable death has left a hole in her family and the whole of the community.
“The current systems in place are not working and continue to fail Aboriginal people and communities.
“How many more must die for there to be a change in the current systems, and real accountability?”
Uncle Bobby said he hoped the findings from Monday’s coronial inquest would bring justice for Ms Nelson and her family.
“We are hoping the findings and learnings from this inquest will stop our people from dying in custody,” he said.
“But first and foremost this inquest has been about Veronica Nelson, and how the criminal justice system failed her and her family.
“Let’s get justice for Veronica.”