THE VAN TALKS PODCAST
The heart and soul of Victorian Aboriginal News - the VAN Talks podcast.
19 July 2024
When music makes a difference – singer/songwriter Pirritu embeds culture and language in his art
In a change from our typical interviews, we catch up with one of our favourite singer/songwriters, Pirritu, and discuss the importance of music as a form of social change
10 July 2024
Victoria’s Anglican church commits to reconciliation, recognition of First Peoples and treaty
We catch up with recently collated Archdeacon for Reconciliation, First Peoples Recognition and Treaty, Wiradjuri man Uncle Glenn Loughrey.
4 July 2024
An Aboriginal-designed and -led solution delivering real results for Victoria’s incarcerated
We speak with founder and creative director of Torch program, Uncle Kent Morris, and Gallery Administrator, the inspirational Stacey Edwards
2 July 2024
The Treaty Authority – working to support a Treaty process that benefits all Victorians
Uncle Andrew Jackomos and Thelma Austin from the Treaty Authority speak about the importance of ensuring treaty negotiations are impartial and of benefit to all
1 July 2024
44-year Wirajduri veteran of Fire Rescue Victoria discusses systemic racism within the service but stresses strong progress
With Fire Rescue Victoria recruiting more First Nations firefighters, we speak with Uncle Owen Butler, a Wiradjuri man with 44 years experience in the service.
27 June 2024
Taungurung wins first important legal round in VCAT against Goulburn Murray Water
CEO of the Taungurung Land and Waters Council, Matthew Burns, speaks openly about a recent VCAT ruling on proposed works licence from Goulburn Murray Water.
26 June 2024
Inside the Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative with the chair and CEO
We check in with BDAC Chair, Nicola Perry-Peters and CEO, Dallas Widdicombe about the challenges and successes of the proudly community controlled organisation
20 June 2024
Delivering a First Nations-centric cultural foundation for family planning and early childhood
We speak with lead researcher and MD of First 1,000 Days Australia, Kerry Arabena about helping First Nations families move from planning through to parenthood.
17 June 2024
Artist and activist Richard Bell on art and activism
We catch up with award-winning artist and Aboriginal activist Uncle Richard Bell to talk about activism, art and their co-existence.
20 May 2024
Inside the Koorie Heritage Trust with CEO Tom Mosby
For many, the Koorie Heritage Trust is simply somewhere to purchase art and gifts. It’s much much more, though. We speak about this with CEO Tom Mosby.
13 May 2024
Dja Dja Wurrung and land set to benefit from new agreement with Agnico Eagle gold mining operation
We speak frankly with DJAARA CEO Uncle Rodney Carter about the benefits to mob and Country emerging from a new agreement between gold mining giant Agnico Eagle and the Dja Dja Wurrung traditional owners
13 May 2024
Bringing Aboriginal content and relevancy into the education curriculum
We speak with Gunditjmara academic and education advocate Professor Uncle Mark Rose, Deakin University’s Pro Vice Chancellor, Indigenous Strategy and Innovation
8 May 2024
The challenges and obligations facing artists practising cultural art on Country that isn’t theirs
We speak with Gurrin Gurrin man and artist Phllip Howe about what it means to practise art on Country that isn’t his.
5 May 2024
Reconciliation in perspective – a frank conversation with Wotjobaluk Traditional Owner, Aunty Janine Coombs
We commence our series of interviews with Victorian Traditional Owners about the true meaning of reconciliation with Wotjobaluk woman, Aunty Janine Coombs
3 May 2024
Transfer of power from government to Assembly on the cards for statewide Treaty negotiation
As we move towards a statewide Treaty in Victoria, Assembly Co-Chair Rueben Berg talks openly about the sharing of government powers
30 April 2024
VAN and 3KND sign a six-month memorandum of understanding on broadcasting of VAN content
After nearly three years “off air”, Victorian Aboriginal News enters into a new memorandum of understanding with Aboriginal radio station 3KND.
29 April 2024
Seeking to identify and recognise all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service personnel
From his office at the Australian War Memorial, Michael Bell devotes his life to identifying and gaining recognition for all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service personnel
25 April 2024
Commemorating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service personnel from the Boer War onwards
How an Egyptian-born retired RAAF Flight Sergeant has been fighting for nearly 20 years for the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service personnel
24 April 2024
Shedding light on the story of 50 Aboriginal trackers left behind after the Boer War
We speak to historian Peter Bakker to dig down in history and discover the truth around the story of 50 Black trackers left behind in South Africa after the Boer War.
19 March 2024
Podcast: Coranderrk truth-telling with Uncle Dave Wandin (Part 2)
We continue our yarning with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder Uncle Dave Wandin about the history and future of the Coranderrk Aboriginal mission.