Aboriginal Victoria today

The Victorian Aboriginal population is growing, young and dispersed across the state.

• Current population of over 50,000. In 2013, 1,388 Aboriginal babies were born (1.88 % of all Victorian babies).

• A higher proportion of the Aboriginal people live in regional areas compared to the non-Aboriginal population.

• Average age for Aboriginal population is 22 years (37 years overall).

Fig. 1: Aboriginal populations in key towns in regional Victoria, 2011

1788

“It may be stated broadly that the advance of settlement has been

marked by a line of blood.”Lorimer Fison & Alfred Howitt, 1880 180

How to resist the impulse to blame the victim?

•11,062 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in 2014•At least one ATSI student in 1200 schools.•100 schools have more than 20 ATSI students•Largest secondary enrolment is 152 students•Largest Primary enrolment = 149 students

•What students have said about their learning

They had the perception that teachers and schools didn’t expect

them to perform very highly in their studies and as a result their self-expectations would reflect

such a view.

Average mean scores in NAPLAN Reading 2013, by Indigenous status and Year Levels

Year 3 Year 5 Year 7 Year 9 Year 3 Year 5 Year 7 Year 9

Series1 380 470 500 544 NaN 435 510 547 586

50

150

250

350

450

550

650

Aboriginal Non-Aboriginal

University Enrolments

2008 – 22.3%

2013 – 38.6%

System - Programs•Literacy and Numeracy scores did not shift

•Unintended disengagement

•Absolving teachers of responsibility

•Insufficient coverage

How to make Koorie culture visible?

Respect and Recognition

DEECD is looking for graduates who can respond to these challenges, who have a strong appreciation of Koorie culture, the impact of marginalisation, racism, poverty and provide curriculum that is inclusive of Aboriginal people while maintaining high expectations of success.