Consultative and advisory bodies

The University of Melbourne has four main consultative and advisory bodies to guide its Indigenous Strategy agenda:

Traditional Owners Advisory Group (TOAG)
Indigenous Strategy Reference Group (ISRG)
Committee of Associate Deans and Delegates (Indigenous) (CADDI)
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Oversight Committee (ATSICHOC)

Traditional Owners Advisory Group

The Traditional Owners Advisory Group is comprised of representatives from the lands on which the University of Melbourne’s campuses and key activities are located, representatives from key Indigenous partner organisations, and Elders and Respected Persons with whom the University has a long-standing relationship.

The Traditional Owners Advisory Group advises the University on:

Matters raised by Traditional Owners in support of the University’s teaching and learning, research and engagement activities and priorities.
Provide cultural oversight of the University’s Indigenous strategies and the University’s engagement with Indigenous knowledge.
Advise the University on appropriate engagement with Traditional Owner groups and cultural and community protocols.

This forum also includes representation from the University of Melbourne, including the Vice-Chancellor, Provost, Associate Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) (Chair).

The University of Melbourne acknowledges and is grateful to the Traditional Owners, Elders and Knowledge Holders of all Indigenous nations and clans who have been instrumental in our reconciliation journey.

Indigenous Strategy Reference Group

Comprised of senior Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff from across the University and Indigenous student representation, the Indigenous Strategy Reference Group advises the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) on the University’s key high-level Indigenous partnerships and strategic initiatives.

The Indigenous Strategy Reference Group is charged with:

Providing advice on the implementation and progress of the University’s key strategic initiatives and other key initiatives.
Ensuring there is appropriate alignment and synergies across multiple projects and portfolios.
Considering emerging possibilities in relation to the University strategy, Advancing Melbourne.
Supporting the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) in strategic decision-making.
Formulating new initiatives for consideration by the appropriate bodies within the University, including the Vice-Chancellor’s Advisory Group (VCAG) and University Executive.

Committee of Associate Deans and Delegates (Indigenous)

The Committee of Associate Deans and Delegates (Indigenous) is a forum for consultation and coordination between the academic divisions and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) on the development of the academic program of the University as it relates to Indigenous matters in academic divisions.

The Committee of Associate Deans and Delegates (Indigenous) will:

Support academic divisional alignment with University-wide Indigenous strategies and plans through implementing these at the academic divisional level and advising on:
- Issues that impact Indigenous student participation, success and completion rates at the divisional level and Indigenous student support needs and services;
- Indigenous academic and professional staff numbers, classification, distribution and career trajectories in their faculties/schools; and
- Academic divisions’ research performance related to Indigenous matters.
Coordinate and review the implementation of Divisional Indigenous Development Plans.
Consider the impacts of changes to the operating context of the University on academic divisions, and on Indigenous higher education at the local level, and make recommendations to the Indigenous Strategy Reference Group for changes to University strategic positioning, policy or procedures to address these

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Oversight Committee

The Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Oversight Committee advises the Provost and Vice President, Strategy and Culture on the implementation of the University's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Policy, which outlines the principles by which the University will manage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ancestral Remains and cultural heritage, including with respect to the built and landscape environment.

This Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Oversight Committee will:

Implement and monitor compliance with the University's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Heritage Policy and provide advice in relation to strategic priorities and resource requirements;
Ensure the development and alignment of policy and its implementation with the principles and goals of the University's Indigenous Strategy and relevant government legislation and international frameworks; and
Advise on the development of protocols and procedures to provide University staff with practical guidance as to:
- their own and the University's obligations under relevant legislation, and;
- the overall management of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage by the University and the central role of the VAHC in managing Ancestral Remains and secret or sacred objects.