Voices of Resilience: A Journey to Truth and Justice

Black Magic Woman with Mundanara Bayles

In this powerful 2 part episode, I sit down with Commissioner Sue Ann Hunter, a proud Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman and commissioner at the Yoorrook Justice Commission, to discuss her multifaceted roles in advocating for child and family welfare, community representation, and systemic change, particularly focusing on the experiences and challenges of First Nations women.

Key Highlights:

1. Dual Roles and Advocacy:
   • Sue-Ann Hunter shares her journey as a mother and child advocate, emphasising the importance of community representation and parental involvement.
   • Sue-Ann Hunter's career began with the Victorian Aboriginal Childcare Agency (VACCA), leading to various educational achievements, including degrees and certifications in psychology, family therapy, social work, cultural safety, and trauma therapy from Harvard.
2. Community Service and Truth-Telling:
   • Sue-Ann Hunter's extensive community service culminates in her role as a commissioner in the Yoorrook Justice Commission, Victoria’s first formal truth-telling body led by First Nations individuals.
   • She discusses the emotional challenges of listening to community stories of loss, trauma, and systemic issues.
3. Professional Experience:
   • The episode delves into Commissioner Hunter’s experiences in therapy, child protection, and criminal justice, emphasising the creation of safe spaces for vulnerable individuals to share their stories.
4. Systemic Issues and Reforms:
   • The discussion touches on royal commissions on Aboriginal deaths in custody and treaty negotiations, highlighting the need for accountability and the implementation of past recommendations.
   • Commissioner Hunter critiques compliance and accountability within government frameworks, particularly in relation to bail reform and its impact on the incarceration rates of women and First Peoples.
5. Goals vs. Reality:
   • Emphasis on the necessity of measuring outcomes, such as the reduction of children in care and achieving self-determination for First Nations Peoples.
   • Commissioner Hunter highlights the gap between stated goals and actual realities, stressing the importance of moving beyond rhetoric to tangible change.

Why You Should Listen:

This episode provides an in-depth look at the intersection of personal experience, professional expertise, and community advocacy. Sue Ann Hunter’s insights offer a compelling narrative on the importance of truth-telling, systemic reform, and the continuous fight for justice and self-determination for First Peoples.

Links & Resources:

• Victorian Aboriginal Childcare Agency (VACCA) - https://www.vacca.org/
• Yuruk Justice Commission - https://yoorrookjusticecommission.org.au/
• First People’s Assembly of Victoria - https://www.firstpeoplesvic.org/

Website: www.blackmagicwoman.com.au

Follow us on Instagram - @blackmagicwomanpodcast

The Black Magic Woman Podcast is hosted by Mundanara Bayles and is an uplifting conversational style program featuring mainly Aboriginal guests and explores issues of importance to Aboriginal people and communities. Mundanara is guided by Aboriginal Terms of Reference and focusses more on who people are rather than on what they do.

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