Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples: Please note that this site contains images and references to people who have died.

Living in and working from “Violet” the van, a 2019 Ford Transit

This is my home, my office and my transportation. According to government I'm considered "homeless" but I'm never more at home than being on the road.

Posted by: Charles

Published: 20 September 2022

V.A.N. operates pretty well entirely from a 2019 Ford Transit van, called "Violet" - Charles Pakana's Aboriginal grandmother.

It has been Charles' workplace and home since February 2021. Why? Simple!

When Charles was Treaty Correspondent on radio, he was chastised by a Station Manager for traveling out to Regional Victoria and interviewing people. He was told that all future interviews had to be done by telephone.

It was at that precise time that Charles made the decision to go fully independent and report on stories from right across Victoria.

Now, as a fully self-funded and not-profit organisation, V.A.N. (yes, we totally get the fortuitous coincidence) is a small Aboriginal-owned and -focused new service that works without absurd constraints and withVictorian Traditional Owner groups and organisations to share positive stories from across our state.

0 Comments

Join our Substack

Join us on our move from a standard subscription based newsletter to a more robust Substack model.

(Coming Soon)

15 July 2026

Professor Andrew Gunstone joins VAN as inaugural Reconciliation Advisor

1 June 2026

A third generation Aboriginal journalist emerges at Victorian Aboriginal News

4 July 2024

Ignorance? Racism? Or just another silly duffer who believes the world is flat?

30 April 2024

VAN and 3KND sign a six-month memorandum of understanding on broadcasting of VAN content

18 April 2024

Our hit music program, Sixties Sojourn, returns to 3KND

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Share This