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Yarning Group

Embedding Cultural Leadership and Guidance

The Yarning Group plays a vital role in guiding our work alongside Aboriginal communities, ensuring that culture, lived experience and community voice are embedded in every decision we make. It is made up of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, including Elders and young people. The group works alongside HUM Collaborative Governance Group and the Backbone team to support long-term social change.

Learn more about our structure
Read more about our work
Planning and Progress
What we do

Through the Yarning Group, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people work side by side to make a difference together.
Change starts when decisions are made with us.

Aunty Jemmes Handy PSM
Wiradjuri Elder/Barkindji

Key Role of the Yarning Group:

  • Culturally guide and oversee work that aims to change outcomes for the community.
  • Lead and support cultural learning and connection.
  • Lead decision making in key areas such as ethics, data sovereignty, communication, and engagement with Aboriginal community. 
  • Advocate and champion to influence systems change.
  • Actively seek input and views from a broad representation of local Aboriginal community.
  • Ensure the Backbone Team’s work is in alignment with the community aspiration.
  • Make sure that community needs, views and wants are central to decision making.
  • Support and ensure culturally safe and appropriate practices across Hands Up Mallee’s work and partnerships.

Yarning Group Charter

The Charter outlines the roles, responsibilities, authorities, and behaviour of the Hands Up Mallee Yarning Group. This charter is a living document and will be reviewed annually and updated to reflect any changes in practice as agreed by the group.

Read the charter here

Yarning Group - Learning on Country Reflection

Hands Up Mallee Yarning Group planned and guided a cultural learning experience on country. The purpose was to deepen cultural understanding as well as strengthen connections across the Hands Up Mallee initiative.

Yarning Group Reflections – 2023 Report

Other Resources

Yarning Group Reflections – 2023 Report