Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership
Supporting achievement and vision for a stronger community
Introduction
The Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership (FIL) fosters leadership, providing exceptional people with the support they need to achieve their vision for their communities.
The Fellowship invests in recognised leaders and provides opportunities to emerging leaders within Victoria’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in a culturally safe and respectful way. The value of the investment in building Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership is to improve the economic as well as the social and emotional wellbeing of communities.
FIL also supports past, present and future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders who are committed to achieving positive change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians and strengthening links between all Australians.
Over the past 21 years FIL have appointed 5 Fellows, including 1 Senior Fellow, 30 Emerging Leaders, 4 Community Connection/Grassroots, 1 Leadership Bursary Award and a new initiative of an Education Grant.
The Alumni have been appointed from the Melbourne metropolitan area and regional Victoria. This has included Bendigo, Cann River, Castlemaine, Echuca, Elmore, Heywood, Kialla, Lakes Entrance, Lara, Mildura, Mornington Peninsula, Sale, Shepparton, Traralgon, and Wodonga.
Many have taken their work across the state, the country and internationally through either direct provision of work, providing expert consultation (content and academic), as well as participation in and speaking at national and international conferences.
They have also contributed to the leadership and governance of major institutions and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations; provide advice to governments; and influence philanthropy practice throughout Victoria and beyond.
Their vision and energy contribute to a better future for all Victorians, including improved health, better educational and economic participation opportunities, enhanced life skills and community connections.
Acknowledgements
The Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership respectfully acknowledges all Traditional Custodians of the land and waterways in Victoria. We pay our respect to First Nations cultures; and to Elders past, present and future.
First Nations Peoples should be aware that this publication may contain images or names of deceased persons.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
We encourage everyone to regularly check the Coronavirus website as well as their COVID-19 information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities | Coronavirus Victoria
The last few years have been hard on many in the community, and not just around COVID-19, so we encourage you to reach out when in need. A number of services are available:
13YARN – Call 13 92 76
Yarning Safe and Strong 1800 959 563
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636
Lifeline 13 11 14
Dardi Munwurro Aboriginal Men’s Support Line – Call 1800 435 799
Latest News
On 30 April 2025 in the Melbourne Museum Theatre Dr Paul Briggs AO, our Inaugural Fellow, launched the new book and documentary titled Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership Grounded in Culture, Guided by Purpose.
The launch commenced with the wonderful Ngargee Dance Group with traditional and modern dance and storytelling, and MC’d by Belinda Duarte AM, one of our Inaugural Emerging Leaders, and Peter Maher, Founding Member.
There were Alumni, their families, friends, Advisory Committee, Directors, long-standing donors and supporters in the Theatre to celebrate the work of FIL over 22 years.
To download a copy of the Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership Grounded in Culture, Guided by Purpose Book (in PDF format) click the link below:
FIL Grounded by Culture, Guided by Purpose Book 30 April 2025
Also, please take the time to watch the following documentary about the Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership and our amazing and inspiring Alumni.
The Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership is a unique diverse network – these are some of our Alumni ….
Alumni Projects 2024
The following is a presentation of the work of some of the Alumni during 2023 – 2024 through the Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership:
Alumni Projects 2022 – 2023
The following is a presentation of the work of some of the Alumni during 2022 – 2023 through the Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership: