More than five months after Victoria's advocate for Indigenous children stepped down, the state government has announced a new Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People.
Dharug man Dallas Widdicombe will take on the role, having previously served as CEO of the Bendigo and District Aboriginal Co-operative.
During his time leading the organisation, Mr Widdicombe introduced new approaches in child and family welfare, including through the Aboriginal Children in Aboriginal Care program and the establishment of the Garinga Bupup Early Intervention Program.
He was awarded the Walda Blow Victorian Protecting Children Award in 2024.
"As Commissioner, my promise is simple," he said in a statement. "I will listen with respect, speak with courage, and insist that commitments become change — so Aboriginal children grow up safe, strong and proud."
Mr Widdicombe holds a Bachelor of Social Work and an Advanced Diploma of Business (Governance), and has also served as a director of the National and Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and Bendigo Health.
He has been appointed to a five-year term beginning next month.
Victoria's Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People, Tracy Beaton, said the appointment comes at a critical but hopeful time for Aboriginal children, citing the recent Treaty signing alongside the ongoing overrepresentation of Indigenous children in the child protection and justice systems.
"The leadership, advocacy and experience that Commissioner Widdicombe will bring to this role will only build the momentum for positive change," Commissioner Beaton said.
"We welcome the commencement of Commissioner Widdicombe and the contribution I know he will bring to the work of the Commission, and to the lives of Victoria's Aboriginal children and young people."
Victorian Children's Minister Lizzie Blandthorn said Mr Widdicombe's experience made him "ideally placed" for the role.
"He brings a strong executive leadership record and focus on improving outcomes for Aboriginal children and families," she said.
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Mr Widdicombe replaces Meena Singh, who quietly resigned in November last year.
Her resignation, in the wake of the government's controversial introduction of harsh prison sentences for children as young as 14, was not publicly acknowledged by the government despite her nearly four years in the role.
"As we see the growing over-representation of Aboriginal children and young people in out-of-home care (OOHC) and youth justice, there is still so much to do to ensure Aboriginal community and organisations are empowered to deliver self-determined responses to provide safety and wellbeing of First Nations children and young people," Ms Singh said when she left the role.
"Their work contributes to the undoing of the harmful legacy of colonisation on our families and community. The signing of Treaty is but one significant step in that long journey towards justice."
Despite the historic Treaty signing last year, Indigenous organisations across the state have criticised the government's approach to Indigenous affairs, arguing the principles of Treaty and self-determination are fundamentally at odds with harsher criminal justice reforms.
Victoria continues to record the highest rate of Indigenous children in child protection of any state or territory, while the government has acknowledged a series of "punitive" laws introduced over the past 18 months will increase the number of Indigenous children and young people in custody.
Speaking about the new laws introducing life sentences for some crimes committed by children as young as 14, Ms Singh said last year: "First Nations families and community know that when laws like this come into effect, they will disproportionately impact our children and young people, as well as children and young people who have experienced trauma, family violence and have unmet mental health and wellbeing needs."
