Victoria will take a major step toward a new chapter with First Peoples when Treaty is officially marked at a large-scale public ceremony and concert on Friday 12 December at John Cain Arena.
The event, presented by the Victorian Government and the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, will celebrate the formal commencement of Treaty, drawing thousands for an evening of music, dance and cultural performance.
At the centre of the ceremony, the Treaty Authority will formally lodge the Treaty on its database. This act signals the beginning of a renewed relationship grounded in respect, truth and shared responsibility between First Peoples and the Victorian Government.
The event was originally set for Fed Square but has shifted to John Cain Arena to allow more Victorians to attend. With doors opening from 5 pm, the program brings together some of the country’s most celebrated artists.
The lineup includes Alice Skye, Baker Boy, Briggs, Deborah Cheetham Fraillon, Missy Higgins, Uncle Kutcha Edwards and Yothu Yindi. The concert aims to create an accessible and welcoming space for community to witness a moment many have worked toward for generations.
Tickets are free through ticketek.com.au, making the event open to anyone who wants to be part of this milestone. Further details are available at treatyvictoria.vic.gov.au/event.
Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Natalie Hutchins said, “Victoria’s Treaty is here – we invite all Victorians to come along and celebrate this historic moment with us.”
She added, “Treaty will deliver real change for First Nations Victorians and marks the beginning of a new relationship between First Peoples and the state.”
