Durrung Djeembana

Sacred Heart Mission recognises that we cannot achieve our vision of an inclusive and fair society without addressing the profound injustices experienced by the First Peoples of this land. We acknowledge that rates of homelessness, disadvantage and social exclusion are unacceptably higher in First Nations communities due to the ongoing impacts of colonisation. We are committed to challenging the oppressive systems and structures that continue to affect individual and community wellbeing.

As an organisation, we recognise our responsibility to actively nurture a culturally safe and inclusive environment for First Nations people to work, volunteer and access services.

Durrung Djeembana, meaning ‘heart gathering’ in Boonwurrung language, is the name of our working group that guides and supports our First Nations initiatives. Comprising staff from across Sacred Heart Mission, Durrung Djeembana brings together diverse expertise and experiences. We collaborate closely with First Nations organisations, including the Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council, Ngwala and Aboriginal Housing Victoria, continually strengthening relationships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

Durrung Djeembana is just one example of our efforts to use Boonwurrung language at Sacred Heart Mission. Using Boonwurrung language is central to our approach. By doing so, we honour the Boonwurrung people and their culture. We are grateful to learn this ancient language together and to play a role in keeping it alive and flourishing. Our sincerest thanks to Senior Boonwurrung Custodian Caroline Martin and her community for permission to use their language for connection and education.

Caroline Martin is a proud Senior Boonwurrung woman and Custodian of Boonwurrung Country, with Ancestral lands spanning from the Werribee River through Melbourne, Port Phillip and Western Port Bays, to Wilsons Promontory.

Sacred Heart Mission is honoured to work closely with Caroline in an advisory capacity. With over 35 years of leadership in First Nations policy, advocacy, and cultural affairs, Caroline has held senior management and advisory roles across arts and culture, tourism, education, employment and the public sector.

She has served on numerous boards, including Aboriginal Tourism Victoria, Artists for Kids Culture, and Kaiela Arts. A Winston Churchill Fellow and an alumnus of the Committee for Melbourne, Caroline’s work has set national and international benchmarks in community-led exhibition design, notably as the former Manager of Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre at Melbourne Museum, where she led the award-winning First Peoples exhibition.

Now, as Founder and Managing Director of Yalukit Marnang, Caroline leads cultural safety programs and systemic reform strategies. Her partnerships span key institutions, including Melbourne Theatre Company, The Comedy Festival, Powerhouse Museum, BreastScreen Victoria, the Melbourne Holocaust Museum and Sacred Heart Mission.

Most recently, Caroline served as Creative Director of YIRRAMBOI First Nations Festival (2019 & 2021), leading two highly successful 11-day festivals featuring over 250 First Nations creatives from across the world – cementing YIRRAMBOI as Australia’s leading First Nations festival.

Since 2012, Sacred Heart Mission has been deeply engaged in the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) process through Reconciliation Australia. Our RAPs provide a structured approach for meaningful change and progress towards justice and equity.

To ensure future success, we are developing a new framework in consultation with our community and First Nations stakeholders. This framework aims to embed principles of self-determination and enhance cultural safety across all facets of our organisation. Key components include:

Collaborative Development: Engaging with First Nations stakeholders to ensure the framework reflects their insights and priorities.

Cultural Safety Training: Implementing programs to educate staff and volunteers on Cultural Safety, First Nations histories, cultures and contemporary issues.

Policy and Practice Review: Assessing and revising organisational policies to remove barriers and promote inclusivity.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Establishing mechanisms to track progress and ensure accountability in our efforts.

This initiative builds upon our previous actions and aligns with our vision for an inclusive and fair society.

We continue to foster relationships with Traditional Owners where we work, based on collaboration, respect and self-determination. With a longstanding presence in the St Kilda area, we have deep connections with the local Traditional Owners, the Yalukit Wilam clan of the Boonwurrung. We respectfully acknowledge N’Arweet Dr Carolyn Briggs AM as the Senior Yalukit Wilam Elder and leader, and thank her for her ongoing guidance and support.