3 SEPT 2025
The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is today celebrating the achievements of staff after winning three awards at the 2025 Victorian Protecting Children Awards, held in Melbourne last night.
VACCA is proud to acknowledge the achievements of Corey Harrison, winner of the Ministers Award for Excellence in Protecting Children; the Aboriginal Children’s Healing Team (Yinga Healing Group), winner of the Robin Clark Making a Difference Award; and Zee Pepper, winner of the Walda Blow Aboriginal Children and Young People Award.
“It’s essential that the work being done by our dedicated people receives the recognition it deserves. I’m proud of all VACCA’s nominees, finalists, and winners, which include staff at all levels and several of our kinship and foster carers,” said Muriel Bamblett, VACCA CEO.
“All are deserving of recognition, and we are proud of all they do to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Aboriginal children in Victoria. Congratulations to Corey, the Aboriginal Children’s Healing team, and Zee on all they have achieved.”
Dja Dja Wurrung / Kurnai man Corey Harrison has worked at VACCA for more than 11 years. During this time he has built close community connections and worked to empower local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people and families are protected, culturally supported, connected to community, and self-determined.
Corey has been a driving force in the ongoing success of several of VACCA’s programs, including the groundbreaking Aboriginal-led child protection practice Nugel (‘belong’ in Woiwurrung). Corey’s understanding of the need to provide safe, culturally supported spaces for young Aboriginal people living in care has led to his involvement with VACCA’s Moorumbina Mongurnallin and Gamadji Balit programs, which provide safe, healing and supported environments for young people living in residential care to thrive.
The Yinga Healing Group, part of VACCA’s Aboriginal Children’s Healing Team (ACHT), promotes social, emotional and spiritual healing to improve the wellbeing of children and young people in at-risk families or in care services. The team takes a holistic approach to supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, strengthening community connections, incorporating trauma-informed therapeutic approaches, and integrating support systems including family, carers, educators and health professionals.
As a proud transgender Gunai Kurnai man, Zee has worked tirelessly to ensure inclusivity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTIQA+SB children, young people, their families and carers. Zee’s visibility in community demonstrates his commitment to empowering rainbow mob to ensure they feel safe expressing their identities. Zee was also the recipient of the 2024 Inaugural Victorian NAIDOC Pride Award for his work campaigning for rainbow mob to be seen, understood, and feel safe.
Congratulations to all award winners.
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FOR RELEASE
Beth Cesarin - Senior Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
PH: 0472 505 780 E: bethc@vacca.org
ABOUT VACCA - www.vacca.org
The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is Victoria’s Peak Voice for Aboriginal children. We are the leading provider of Aboriginal child and family services, and the largest provider of services for Aboriginal family violence and homelessness. We have been supporting children, young people, and families in the community for over 47 years as an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO).
Through our vision of self-determination – Live, Experience, and Be – we exist to support culturally strong, safe, and thriving Aboriginal communities. We deliver over 80 programs across Victoria including child and family services, family violence, support for stolen generations, child protection, cultural strengthening programs, mental health, financial services, justice and redress support, early years, and homelessness services.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we work. We pay our respects to their elders, past and present, and to their children and young people who are the future elders and caretakers of this great land.