The Koorie Youth Council (KYC) extends our heartfelt thanks to Meena Singh, Victorian Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, following her announcement that she resigned from her role on 19 December. 

Meena has served at the Commission for Children and Young People since April 2022, and from March last year also undertook the role of Acting Principal Commissioner, which she stepped down from earlier in November. 

KYC acknowledges Meena’s long-standing leadership and commitment to advancing positive change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. She has been a steadfast supporter of KYC and a strong advocate for the rights, voices, and representation of young mob across Victoria. 

Meena’s resignation comes amid deeply concerning changes to crime legislation, which will see children who commit violent offences facing adult jail sentences, including the possibility of life imprisonment. 

At KYC, we recognise the immense and ongoing responsibility of advocating for young mob, particularly when community-led recommendations are not meaningfully embedded by government. This work is demanding and often unrelenting. We extend our sincere gratitude to Meena for her dedication and leadership, and we wish her strength and care in her next chapter. 

Read further via the ABC article or the National Indigenous Times (NIT) article.

‘Whilst some days feel insurmountable and there are countless systems that work against you and collectively us as Aboriginal people, I depart as your Commissioner with hope, because that is the number one lesson I learnt from you, is to have hope and fight for your rights.’ – Meena Singh, NIT