THE VAN TALKS PODCAST
The heart and soul of Victorian Aboriginal News - the VAN Talks podcast.
20 October 2025
Victorian Treaty – a deep dive into the legislation and proposed Treaty with Rueben Berg
Victorian Aboriginal News was to interview co-Chair Rueben Berg for a deep dive into the Victorian Treaty Legislation and proposed Treaty. This is part one of a three-part extended exclusive interview, recorded just days before the legislation was passed in the Victorian Parliament’s lower house.
15 October 2025
Clothing the Gaps encourages people to wear their values and start conversations
So just who’s behind the merch-with-a-message powerhouse Clothing The Gaps? We catch up with co-founder of the company, Gunditjmara woman Laura Thompson
12 October 2025
Empowerment of young people in local governments across Australia
A bit out of our normal wheelhouse, this interview focuses on young people (11-17 years old) across Australia being elected to “Youth Councils” and influencing their local communities
7 October 2025
Lifting the curtain on the early days of the modern Victorian Treaty process
Ex-Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner, Aunty Jill Gallagher, looks back at the challenges facing the Treaty process during the formation of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.
3 October 2025
Victorian LGAs being brought in line with Victorian Closing the Gap Implementation campaign
Led by Gunditjmara woman Aunty Lisa Briggs, Ngaweeyan
Maar-oo (voice of and from the people) is working with local governments to help them achieve their Closing the Gaps obligations
29 September 2025
Blak-led. Queer-led. Deadly Sports Plus supporting all Victorians and promoting self-determination
Nic Radoll is the founder of Victoria’s only Blak- and queer-led first aid service provider, clearly demonstrating how First Nations self-determination delivers benefits to all Victorians.
23 September 2025
Treaty support building at a grassroots level across Victoria
With the Victorian Treaty legislation now tabled in the State’s Parliament, grassroots level support is on the rise. A key player in this is First Nations-led Common Threads. We speak with one of the organisation’s founders, Larissa Baldwin-Roberts.
16 September 2025
Australia’s First Nations media – underfunded, underrated yet among the most trusted
Despite being underfunded by the Federal Government, First Nations media across Australia plays a critical role in dispelling myths and misinformation. We speak with First Nations Media Australia CEO, Wally Tallis.
10 September 2025
An Australian first. Treaty legislation tabled in Victorian Parliament after years of intense work
Following years of intense work and around nine months of negotiations, Treaty legislation is tabled in Victoria. Co-Chair Rueben Berg speaks to the future of Treaty
7 September 2025
Peak body works with Local Governments on Local Treaty understanding and preparation
Municipal Association of Victoria takes the initiative to promote education and understanding of Local Treaties across the state’s local government sector
3 September 2025
A peek into the inner workings and responsibilities of Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Council
One of the largest Traditional Owner groups in Victoria, Wurundjeri faces constant demands on its time, people and other resources. We gain a perspective on this – along with critical advice – from the CEO, Kupa Teao.
29 August 2025
Helping to close the educational gap for Victorian tertiary level students
For nearly 30 years, RMIT’s Ngarara Willum Centre has been providing critical student support for First Nations students. We speak with Indigenous Access and Engagement Senior Advisor, Bundjalung woman Talia Elliott.
19 August 2025
Traditional Owners and Local Government Authorities join together to improve collective advocacy and resourcing
The Taungurung Land and Waters Council establishes a Local Government forum for councils on its Country to establish common goals and objectives
12 August 2025
Keeping the Victorian Treaty Process on the straight and narrow
Treaty Authority chair, Djab Wurrung man Jidah Clark, talks frankly about the current state of the Victorian statewide Treaty, and the Authority’s commitment to work with ALL parties, especially Local Government Authorities, in regard to local Treaties.
15 July 2025
A renewed focus for Victorian Traditional Owners across the state with a new Federation CEO
Taungurung woman Kaley Nicholson takes the reins at the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations… and pushing hard to ensure TO voices are heard in Government
8 July 2025
Victorian Government setting the foundation for more Aboriginal people in custody
As the Victorian Government considers introducing even further backward steps in the State’s already archaic bail laws, we catch up with VALS Director of Legal Services, Ali Besiroglu to discuss the current situation and Poccum’s Law.
23 June 2025
Data sovereignty – protecting our data from being weaponised and ensuring it contributes to strength
Treaty Authority member Dr Petah Atkinson and Dr Jacob Prehn explain the critical importance of Aboriginal data sovereignty and government in the Victorian Treaty landscape.
16 June 2025
Victorian Treaty could well be signed and enacted before the end of 2025
Assembly co-Chair Rueben Berg shares more about the next iteration of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, and the belief that there could well be a signed and enacted statewide Treaty in place before the end of 2025
29 May 2025
Victoria’s first local Treaty process underway with DJAARA announcing it’s ready!
DJAARA – the representative body for Dja Dja Wurrung clans – is ready to enter into local Treaty negotiations. I yarn about this with DJAARA’s FPAV representative, Djaran Murray-Jackson.
26 May 2025
On Gunditjmara Country with Commissioner Travis Lovett just 18 hours before the Walk for Truth
I was fortunate enough to catch up and yarn with Yoorrook Commission Travis Lovett on the Portland foreshores – on Gunditjmara Country – 18 hours before the commencement of the Walk for Truth.