Our Possum-skin cloak: a celebration of VACCA’s growth, development, and impact.
Possum-skin cloaks have been worn by Aboriginal people in Victoria for thousands of years as a source of warmth and protection from harsh conditions. Worn from a young age, possum-skin cloaks were initially made up of only a few pelts. But as the boorais grew, more pelts were added, and the cloak was decorated for protection, ceremony and storytelling.
More recently, cloaks have been utilised as a way to empower and strengthen culture in the workplace and community within our regions. This year we are celebrating our possum-skin cloak. Our history, our story, our growth and journey. We started small, with only a few pelts. Today, 45 years on we are made up of many pelts – that combines our people, our programs and our community. Together we make one cloak that continues to expand, while protecting our community. Our programs and capabilities have grown, with more staff, skills and learnings. We have become more valuable, more unique, more committed and trusted.