If there were concerns that Bangerang and Wiradjuri Elder Aunty Geraldine Atkinson would stand down from public life after she announced last month that she would not seek re-election as the inaugural co-chair of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, they are misplaced.

Talking exclusively to the National Indigenous Times, Aunty Geraldine spoke with hope of her desire to visit and discuss with as many people as possible throughout the communities in Victoria to help them understand the 'Voice.'

"I want to talk to as many members of the wider population to let them know just how very important the voice will be… They should be voting Yes in the referendum, and it is well before time that we get this recognition in the constitution that we have wanted for these last 200 plus years," she said.

Aunty Geraldine has been a powerful advocate for the constitutional recognition of Indigenous people, recently visiting Canberra to give her views to a parliamentary inquiry.

Just as importantly however, has been her work in setting up the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, the first of its kind in the country, and something she describes as "absolutely monumental".

"I think what were able to do during that process, was not just work with government, but the work that we did with community was enormous," she said.

"We had to go out and talk to community. We had to have conversations with people. We had to have yarns and yarn circles, telephone calls, online forums, meetings."

The creation of the Assembly wasn't simply a bureaucratic exercise, but one that involved a broader consultation with the communities, one that she said was both intense and exhaustive, but also vital to help build trust for the fledgling Assembly.

"When you look at where our members are from, they're from regions throughout the state. We were able to get people and communities aware of the work that we were doing.

"We had to ensure that we weren't negotiating treaty, but that we were building the architecture so that we could then build and then complete the tasks that would then form how communities. would form treaties in the future."

Reflecting on her term as co-chair, Aunty Geraldine argues that the success of the Assembly has been both profound and obvious for all to see.

"I really believe that what we were able to do was an amazing job, to achieve the tasks that we had to do. We built an Aboriginal entity from the ground up.

"We did it – it was really hard work; it was really hard beginnings. But once we worked through issues and once, we built relationships, and also building relationships with government – who in actual fact are out partners in that process – I think we were able to get through a whole lot of extraordinary challenges."

As co-chair, along with Nira illim bulluk man Marcus Stewart, Aunty Geraldine has been principally responsible with dealing with the State government. When we talked on the phone, she believed the process has been overwhelmingly positive, from both the government and the broader community.

"We had enormous support [from the government] and during the negotiations, what we were able to do was earn their respect," she said.

During the current Yoorrook Justice Commission – the first formal truth-telling process into injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria and called for by the Assembly in 2020 - Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews formally acknowledged that First Nations people in Victoria experience ongoing injustices and racial discrimination. He described the continued over representation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice and child protection systems as a "source of great shame".

At the time, Aunty said that she "welcomed" the premiers' words, even though the injustices and discrimination had been "true since colonisation".

When reflecting on the governments involvement in the setting up of the Assembly, and their ongoing interactions with the Yoorrrook Justice Commission, Aunty noted that it was important that they had started to understand the issues facing First Nations people were best dealt with in consultation with those most impacted.

"For them to understand what it was and what was best for the Aboriginal communities and improve on the systems… ensuring we get those really good structural changes in the systems that are going to improve the lives of Aboriginal community in Victoria."

Along with setting up truth telling forums like Yoorrook, for Aunty Geraldine, one of the ultimate aims of the Assembly is to help set up future treaty negotiations for the First Nations people of Victoria. She tells me that the first term of the Assembly was foundation for which the new candidates standing in the upcoming elections can ultimately build upon to better their communities.

"What we did was we did provide those building blocks. They are there," she said.

"What needs to happen in the next iteration of the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria is to then follow those processes and ensure that what we do when it comes to the time when treaty negotiations take place; either between traditional owners, or First People's Assembly and the state, is that they're there."

Asked if she had any advice for the new candidates, Aunty said they must maintain the community "at heart," especially for the next generation, who will benefit from the work being done currently.

"What we are going to do is ensure that they bring along the next generation – the younger generation – they will be the ones who will be effected by the treaties, they'll be the ones negotiating with things like the self-determination fund, looking at wealth and prosperity for out communities in the future.

"When negotiations take place, always at the front of mind for all the candidates, is what is it going to achieve for our community and in particular the generations coming after us."

Aunty Geraldine Atkinson concluded her interview with National Indigenous Times by stating her immense pride in the setting up of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, and the ultimate good work it will do for the future generations of First Nations people throughout the state.

"I am so proud of what we have been able to achieve."

It will be up to the new candidates who are elected during the upcoming elections to carry on Aunty Geraldine Atkinson's legacy.