- Published by:
- Department of Premier and Cabinet
- Date:
- 22 Sep 2026
Description of Artwork
Journey of Healing, Strength & Connection - This artwork tells a story of healing, growth, resilience and reconnecting to self, culture and Country. The sacred waterways of Dhungala symbolise renewal and movement, while the long-neck turtles represent Ancestors carrying wisdom, protection and cultural knowledge.
Warm colours reflect the beauty and complexity of life, while gathering circles represent family, connection, yarning, ceremony and cultural knowledge passed through generations. The artwork is a reminder to keep moving forward, stay connected to who you are, and trust that your spirit, culture and Ancestors will guide you home.
About the artist
Alkina Edwards is a Yorta Yorta woman with matriarchal heritage spanning Yorta Yorta, Wemba Wemba, Mutthi Mutthi and Wiradjuri, and patriarchal roots in Bundjalung, Wakka Wakka and Jinibara peoples. Her strong family connections span the Northern Territory, Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales.
Drawing inspiration from Country, community and cultural stories, Alkina’s art reflects her lived experience as an Indigenous woman. Her work celebrates family, identity, self-determination and heritage, expressing deep pride in her ancestry and the strength and resilience of her people.
Barring yana-ngali gadhaba
Barring yana-ngali gadhaba means ‘The pathway we will walk together’ in the Boonwurrung language. Boonwurrung language name provided by Professor N’arwee’t Carolyn Briggs AM, a recognised Traditional Owner of the Yalukit Willam of the Boonwurrung.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge Aboriginal people in Victoria and their ongoing strength in practising the world’s oldest living cultures. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters on which we live and work and pay our respect to their Elders past and present.
Statement on language
Language is important and can change over time. Words can have different meanings for different people, and we acknowledge the diversity of Aboriginal peoples, communities and cultures throughout Victoria.
Message from the Minister for First Peoples
The Victorian Government’s nation-leading commitment to Treaty, Truth and Closing the Gap demonstrates our determination to confront the legacy of injustice and dispossession and the enduring harm of colonisation which has impacted the lives of Aboriginal people in Victoria for generations.
Message from the Co-Chairs of Ngaweeyan Maar-oo
As Co-Chairs of Ngaweeyan Maar-oo, we are proud to present Barring yana-ngali gadhaba, a vital step towards closing the gap and uplifting Aboriginal communities across Victoria.
Executive summary
Barring yana-ngali gadhaba - Victoria’s Closing the Gap Implementation Plan 2026–2031 outlines the highest priority strategic actions that the Victorian Government will take over the next five years to drive progress on Closing the Gap.
Introduction
The National Agreement on Closing the Gap, first signed in 2020, sets out a shared vision for fundamentally transforming the way that governments around Australia work with Aboriginal people to advance self-determination and improve life outcomes for Aboriginal people in a way that is genuine, sustainable and reflects the needs and priorities of Community. It aims to address the longstanding detrimental impacts of colonisation, systemic racism and the structural exclusion of Aboriginal people from core government decision-making processes.
Closing the Gap Priority Reforms
The four Priority Reforms set out in the National Agreement sit at the heart of Closing the Gap and the agreement’s vision for transformative change.
Closing the Gap socio-economic targets
Closing the Gap socio-economic targets
Accountability, monitoring and evaluation
The Victorian Government will work in close partnership with Ngaweeyan Maar-oo and Gellung Warl to ensure public transparency and accountability for the progress of actions outlined in this Implementation Plan. This includes a commitment to comprehensive monitoring and evaluation of all actions delivered under this Implementation Plan to ensure that all Victorians have clear, accessible and up-to-date information on efforts to close the gap and establish a strong foundation to guide future action.
Appendix 1: Implementation Plan Actions
Appendix 1: Implementation Plan Actions
Appendix 2: Priority Reform actions
Priority Reform One: Formal partnerships and shared decision-making
Appendix 3: Socio-economic target actions
Appendix 3: Socio-economic target actions
Appendix 4: Acronyms and Glossary
Appendix 4: Acronyms and Glossary
Updated