ON Saturday 31 October at the Mornington community hall, The Studio, an information session was held for peninsula residents on the Victorian Treaty with First Peoples.
The session, hosted by reconciliation action group, Southern Peninsula Allies, brought together Aboriginal representatives, Zoe Upton and Aunty Helen Bnads and local residents curious to learn about the new Treaty between the First Peoples and the state of Victoria.
Upton is a Bunurong and Trawlwoolway woman who represents the Bunurong Land Council on the First Peoples’ Assembly – referred to now under the Victorian Treaty Act 2025 as Gellung Warl. Upton spoke about the long journey to Treaty and the vital need to preserve it.
“This area has profound connection for me as it is where my direct ancestor was abducted and taken to a remote Tasmanian island by sealers,” said Upton.
“When people ask me how long we have hoped for a treaty, I say ever since settlement.”
Elder and Birri Gubba woman Aunty Helen Bnads OAM described the ability of Aboriginal people to bring about change in areas like health and justice and referred the struggle to “protect the Treaty from the naysayers with political agendas”.
Mornington resident, Helen Soulsby, said that the event had sharpened her understanding of the need to reckon with our past.
“In my day, the whole colonisation thing was brushed over. We learnt nothing about it at school. Now we have a chance through this Treaty to put things right.”
Former Shire mayor, Despi O’Connor, who chaired the event, summed up saying, “Today’s conversation has reminded us that Treaty is about recognising history, listening to First Peoples, and building a future founded on respect, justice and self-determination. Treaty is too important, and too precious, to lose momentum now”.
Greens, Labor and Independent candidates in the upcoming state election attended the meeting to support Treaty.
“We have a Treaty; we have made this historic accord which will bring Indigenous and non-indigenous Victorians together,” said Upton.
“Legislation can change but Gellung Warl will continue to work and develop relationships with whoever is in power. The Treaty will remain!”
First published in the Mornington News – 3 November 2026
