Understand the practices and processes that assist First Peoples coming before the courts.
When First Peoples have access to culturally appropriate services at courts it can mean the difference between life and death. For First Peoples, presentation in the justice system is especially fraught due to the ongoing effects of colonisation, and the outcomes can be alarming. By enabling the access of First Peoples to culturally appropriate services from the outset of their interaction with courts, the possibility of fair and just outcomes is increased.
In this Twilight session, we showcase the specialised processes, practices, and protocols of services across Victorian courts. We will discuss: What can judicial officers learn about First Peoples in courts from the work of these services? How can First Peoples services collaborate with courts and judicial officers to enhance cultural knowledge and understanding?
We will hear from:
- Tina King and Danika Stacey from the Marram-Ngala Ganbu and the Family Drug Treatment Court at the Children’s Court.
- Shirley Annesley, Koori Advisory Officer DATC, County Court.
- Chanel Kinniburgh and Krysta Whittingslow, Court Support Services Koori Support Practitioners, Navigation and Triage Team, Magistrates’ Court.
- Joseph Yugumbari and Coroner Simon McGregor on behalf of the Coroners Court.
The presenters' connections and expertise deepen the courts' cultural knowledge every day and make tangible differences in their ability to support Community amidst various pressures.
This series of events is presented in partnership with the Judicial Officers’ Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Committee (JOACAC), chaired by Justice Jane Dixon and Magistrate Rose Falla.
Facilitator.
Magistrates' Court of Victoria
Magistrate Abigail Burchill
Magistrate Burchill is a member of the Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung Traditional Owner groups, having grown up in Shepparton. She studied Law/Arts at the University of Melbourne and worked as a solicitor with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) before joining the Victorian Bar in October 2011 until her appointment in 2017. She is a past President of Tarwirri (the Indigenous Law Students and Lawyers Association of Victoria) and Deputy Chair of the Indigenous Justice Committee of the Victorian Bar.
Magistrates' Court of Victoria
Magistrate Abigail Burchill
Magistrate Burchill is a member of the Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung Traditional Owner groups, having grown up in Shepparton. She studied Law/Arts at the University of Melbourne and worked as a solicitor with the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) before joining the Victorian Bar in October 2011 until her appointment in 2017. She is a past President of Tarwirri (the Indigenous Law Students and Lawyers Association of Victoria) and Deputy Chair of the Indigenous Justice Committee of the Victorian Bar.
Speakers.
Coroners Court of Victoria
Coroner Simon McGregor
Coroner McGregor was a member of the Victorian Bar for 21 years before being appointed as a Coroner in 2018. Along the path of his legal career, he served as a researcher for former President of the Court of Appeal, the Hon John Winneke AC RFD, and as a Court of Appeal Registrar before reading with Justice Jack Forrest. He also mentored six readers and two Indigenous lawyers. His Honour practiced and published in administrative and human rights law, health and regulatory law, inquests, commissions, proceeds of crime, and other investigative areas.
During his career, his Honour worked on notable cases such as the Police Shootings trials, the HMAS Melbourne/Voyager litigation, the Kerang Train & Truck Collision, and the Parolee Murder cluster inquests.
As a Coroner, he is best known for his work prompting the AFL to review its concussion policies, his review of invasive CT scans in the Inquest into the death of Peta Hickey [COR 2336 of 2019], and his recent Indigenous death in custody Inquest into the death of Veronica Nelson [COR 21 of 2020]. He has presided over more than 3,000 other judicial determinations, all of which are equally important to the families involved.
Coroners Court of Victoria
Coroner Simon McGregor
Coroner McGregor was a member of the Victorian Bar for 21 years before being appointed as a Coroner in 2018. Along the path of his legal career, he served as a researcher for former President of the Court of Appeal, the Hon John Winneke AC RFD, and as a Court of Appeal Registrar before reading with Justice Jack Forrest. He also mentored six readers and two Indigenous lawyers. His Honour practiced and published in administrative and human rights law, health and regulatory law, inquests, commissions, proceeds of crime, and other investigative areas.
During his career, his Honour worked on notable cases such as the Police Shootings trials, the HMAS Melbourne/Voyager litigation, the Kerang Train & Truck Collision, and the Parolee Murder cluster inquests.
As a Coroner, he is best known for his work prompting the AFL to review its concussion policies, his review of invasive CT scans in the Inquest into the death of Peta Hickey [COR 2336 of 2019], and his recent Indigenous death in custody Inquest into the death of Veronica Nelson [COR 21 of 2020]. He has presided over more than 3,000 other judicial determinations, all of which are equally important to the families involved.
Koori Services Coordinator, Children’s Court of Victoria
Tina King
Tina is a proud Awabakal woman living as a guest on Yorta Yorta nations land in north central Victoria. Tina has had a remarkable career spanning over 10 years across the child protection and Justice sector in the Shepparton region. Tina has held several positions in both government and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations including Lakidjeka ACSASS Team leader and Indigenous Leading community corrections officer. Since 2020 Tina has held the position of Koori Services Coordinator at the Shepparton Children’s Court. In this role Tina was responsible for adapting the Broadmeadows Marram-Ngala Ganbu Koori family hearing day model to suit the local Shepparton community.
Koori Services Coordinator, Children’s Court of Victoria
Tina King
Tina is a proud Awabakal woman living as a guest on Yorta Yorta nations land in north central Victoria. Tina has had a remarkable career spanning over 10 years across the child protection and Justice sector in the Shepparton region. Tina has held several positions in both government and Aboriginal community-controlled organisations including Lakidjeka ACSASS Team leader and Indigenous Leading community corrections officer. Since 2020 Tina has held the position of Koori Services Coordinator at the Shepparton Children’s Court. In this role Tina was responsible for adapting the Broadmeadows Marram-Ngala Ganbu Koori family hearing day model to suit the local Shepparton community.
Koori Family Support Officer, Children’s Court of Victoria
Danika Stacey
Danika is a proud Ngarrindjeri and Wambaya woman living on Wurundjeri land. Danika has worked with community for over 4 years, particularly within the child protection space. Danika worked as a case manager at the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) for 3 years before moving onto her current role as the Koori Family Support Officer at the Children’s Court. In this role, Danika supports first nation families in Marram-Ngala Ganbu and mainstream family division court.
Koori Family Support Officer, Children’s Court of Victoria
Danika Stacey
Danika is a proud Ngarrindjeri and Wambaya woman living on Wurundjeri land. Danika has worked with community for over 4 years, particularly within the child protection space. Danika worked as a case manager at the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) for 3 years before moving onto her current role as the Koori Family Support Officer at the Children’s Court. In this role, Danika supports first nation families in Marram-Ngala Ganbu and mainstream family division court.
Koori Support Practitioners, Magistrates’ Court of Victoria
Chanel Kinniburgh & Krysta Whittingslow
Chanel Kinniburgh is a proud Kamilaroi woman with strong links to the Koori community, having grown up predominantly in Naarm. Chanel holds a Master of Justice and Criminology and a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism), and continues to work as a sessional academic across these fields at RMIT. Prior to joining the Magistrates’ Court, Chanel worked with the Centre for Innovative Justice on the Rethinking Criminal Record Checks Project, which explores ways to improve employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with a criminal record. Chanel’s interest in the criminal justice system was sparked by her previous six-year career as a journalist. She is passionate about reducing overrepresentation, increasing cultural safety, and promoting self-determination through Aboriginal-led justice initiatives.
Krysta Whittingslow is a proud Ningy Ningy woman from Gubi Gubbi Dyungungoo. Krysta grew up on Country in southeast Queensland and spent the rest of her life learning on Noongar Boodja (Perth, Western Australia) where she completed a Master of Teaching and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media. An educator at heart, Krysta has always held space to help others; from working at the University of Western Australia as a mentor encouraging young Indigenous students to explore their interests and pathways into tertiary education, to facilitating learning with secondary students and breaking down pedagogy barriers, to working in events, radio and, across the state of Victoria and Tasmania as the Indigenous Community Engagement Officer to prepare mob for federal elections and the referendum. Just as she was supported by her matriarchs and leaders to navigate and overcome her own hardships, she continues to emulate those before her and pay this forward through the roles she steps up to in community.
Koori Support Practitioners, Magistrates’ Court of Victoria
Chanel Kinniburgh & Krysta Whittingslow
Chanel Kinniburgh is a proud Kamilaroi woman with strong links to the Koori community, having grown up predominantly in Naarm. Chanel holds a Master of Justice and Criminology and a Bachelor of Communication (Journalism), and continues to work as a sessional academic across these fields at RMIT. Prior to joining the Magistrates’ Court, Chanel worked with the Centre for Innovative Justice on the Rethinking Criminal Record Checks Project, which explores ways to improve employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with a criminal record. Chanel’s interest in the criminal justice system was sparked by her previous six-year career as a journalist. She is passionate about reducing overrepresentation, increasing cultural safety, and promoting self-determination through Aboriginal-led justice initiatives.
Krysta Whittingslow is a proud Ningy Ningy woman from Gubi Gubbi Dyungungoo. Krysta grew up on Country in southeast Queensland and spent the rest of her life learning on Noongar Boodja (Perth, Western Australia) where she completed a Master of Teaching and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media. An educator at heart, Krysta has always held space to help others; from working at the University of Western Australia as a mentor encouraging young Indigenous students to explore their interests and pathways into tertiary education, to facilitating learning with secondary students and breaking down pedagogy barriers, to working in events, radio and, across the state of Victoria and Tasmania as the Indigenous Community Engagement Officer to prepare mob for federal elections and the referendum. Just as she was supported by her matriarchs and leaders to navigate and overcome her own hardships, she continues to emulate those before her and pay this forward through the roles she steps up to in community.