Liz Allen is a Victorian Aboriginal woman, descending from Wurundjeri Woiwurrung and Dja Dja Wurrung, she was born and raised on Gunaikurnai country and has extended family connections throughout Gippsland. Liz is a board member on the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council... Liz yarns up on 3KND's Big Brekkie. Liz is an Aboriginal advisor, with over 20 years of professional experience with Community, Industry and Government services, Liz is driven to further the inclusion of Aboriginal Economic participation. The Aboriginal Heritage Council was created in May 2007 as part of the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. Before the act was amended, only groups with Traditional Owner Settlement Agreements were able to make decisions on Aboriginal Cultural Heritage for an area of country.
Council appoints Registered Aboriginal Parties to manage and protect Cultural Heritage on their country. 11 Traditional Owners, chosen by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, form the Council. All members live in Victoria and have knowledge of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage.
Responsibilities of Council As an independent statutory body, Council can: make decisions on Registered Aboriginal Party applications oversee Registered Aboriginal Party operations protect Ancestors’ resting places and return Ancestors to Country manage reporting of Ancestral Remains manage reporting of Secret or Sacred Objects manage the Victorian Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Fund promote awareness and understanding of Aboriginal Cultural Heritage provide advice to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Secretary. The Office of the Heritage Council supports the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council.