Justice, Elders and Culture in the Koori Court

Amanda is a Gunditjmara woman. Amanda is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at VALS, until recently Amanda served as a Director on the VALS board of Directors for ten years. Amanda has extensive experience working with Aboriginal communities, particularly within the Child, family, and welfare sector with a strong focus on best practice and building workforce capability. Amanda has, through her tireless work, shown she is passionate about social justice for Koori people.

Magistrate Rose Falla is a proud Wotjobaluk/Wemba Wemba/Mutti Mutti woman born and raised in Melbourne. In 2013, Her Honour became the first indigenous Magistrate appointed in the state of Victoria. Magistrate Falla’s involvement with Koori Court began in 2001 when she was working in the legal policy unit of the Department of Justice to help establish the first Koori Court in Shepparton. In 2020 Magistrate Falla was appointed to the role of Supervising Magistrate for Koori Justice. As well as sitting in both Koori Court and Mainstream Court, Magistrate Falla works with other Supervising Magistrates and Heads of Division to supervise and support Koori programs at the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria.

Walter Harrison is a member of the Victorian Indigenous community and has extensive experience working within Aboriginal Community controlled organizations, including holding a position as a state-wide Family practice lead role within the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency. He is a founding member of the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DDWCAC) and Director on the Board, and as of July 2022 is a member of the Financial and Audit Risk Committee. Walter graduated through Swinburne College with a Graduate Certificate IV - Aboriginal Wellbeing and Family Violence Prevention 2012 and a Graduate Certificate of Social Work NTV Male Behavioral Change in 2014. In 2013, Walter commenced engagement with the Victorian Koori courts actively as an Elder and respected community member with Children, Magistrates and County Courts. He currently sits on the Boards and Co-Chairs the County Courts Aboriginal First Nation self-determination. He has engaged in delivering Prison programs for Aboriginal men in custody with five years as an Independent Prison Visitor to understand more now and appreciate the sacrifices made from our ancestors. Walter has a strong commitment to helping and supporting Aboriginal families in the Koori community and believes as Elders and respected people we have a responsibility towards healing and self-determination for our people and future generations to come. Walter’s identity belongs to both his father’s people the Dja Dja Wurrung, and Mother’s Yorta Yorta / Wiradjuri and he has lived in and around Melbourne. He has strong affiliations with a lot of Aboriginal people and organisations in the Regional and Metro areas.

Terrie Stewart is a proud Taungurung woman who has worked in the Victorian Criminal Justice System advocating and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities for over 35 years. Terrie is currently employed as the Manager of the County Koori Court, Court Services Victoria and has worked in Koori Court across the Magistrates and County Court for over 20 years.