Restrictions are in place to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and save lives. Find out more about our services during COVID-19. For information about COVID-19, visit the DHHS website (External link).
BDM commits to making it easier for Aboriginal people to access our services.
Here are some of the ways we provide culturally-safe services to Aboriginal Victorians.
Aboriginal Relationships Officer
Our Aboriginal Relationships Officer is Jessica Dudley (Wardandi & Bibbulmun). Jessica is available to assist Aboriginal customers who need help accessing our services.
Aboriginal customers can email bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link).
The Aboriginal Relationships Officer can also visit your community. This is part of BDM’s Strong identity, strong spirit campaign.
Watch the Aboriginal Relationships Officer video
You can read the transcript of this video.
Acknowledgement of Country
We aim to make our registry service centre as welcoming as possible to Aboriginal people. Our service centre greets visitors with:
- A plaque acknowledging the Wurundjeri people as the Traditional Owners of the land
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags on proud display.
BDM staff also mark key events such as Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.
Coolamon strategy 2019-2021
Our Coolamon Strategy drives our work with Victoria’s Aboriginal community.
The purpose of the strategy is to:
- increase access to BDM services for members of Victoria’s Aboriginal community
- ensure that BDM continuously improves upon service delivery to Aboriginal customers.
It also discusses our work with community bodies and other agencies to:
- help Aboriginal community members know about BDM services, financial assistance and culturally-sensitive support
- support Aboriginal community members during difficult times in their lives.
Language use
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Victoria have diverse cultures.
On this website we use these terms:
- ‘Koori’ and ‘Aboriginal’ to refer to the Aboriginal and Torres-Strait Islander people of Victoria
- 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander' to refer to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Australia.
The word ‘family’ has many different meanings. Use of the words ‘family’ and ‘families’ is all encompassing. It acknowledges that a variety of relationships and structures can make up a family unit. These include family-like or care relationships and extended kinship structures.
The word ‘Boorai’, meaning ‘baby’ or ‘child’, comes from the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.
Providing feedback
We welcome feedback and suggestions from our Aboriginal customers and stakeholders.
To provide feedback, or suggest other ways we can support Aboriginal people, please contact:
Jessica Dudley
Aboriginal Relationships Officer
Email: bdm.koori@justice.vic.gov.au (External link)
About the photos on this page
Top photo
Left to right: Colin Mitchell (Gunditjmara & Wemba-Wemba), Matilda Mitchell (Gunditjmara, Wemba-Wemba & Yorta-Yorta), Meerah Sehgal (Yorta-Yorta) and Marie Sehgal (Yorta-Yorta). Photo by Michael Jalaru Torres (Djugun & Yawuru).