The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) is celebrating 50 years of helping the Indigenous community of Victoria.
Coinciding with the anniversary, the organisation is calling for donations to amplify and invest in stronger voices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The legal service said in a statement that they were "established by community, for community".
"We work with Aboriginal Communities to make sure they are listened to, so that decision-makers know what they need and can make positive changes," the organisation said.
VALS CEO and Yorta Yorta and Narrandjeri woman, Nerita Waight, said the reason Aboriginal people were the "oldest continuous culture on earth" was because they have "never given up".
"Over 235 years, many things have been taken from us and we have been denied many things," she said.
"We have experienced so much heartbreak and trauma – but we have always had the strength to continue the struggle for justice."
VALS has played a major part in achieving justice for many First Nations people throughout the state.
In recent times these include the pushing of bail reforms in Victoria; especially in the wake of the death of Gunditjmara, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta woman Veronica Nelson in police custody in 2020, the concerted effort to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 14 and a role in the Yoorrook Justice Commission - the first formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria.
VALS said over 235 years since colonisation, First Nations people have faced setbacks and challenges.
"(W)e have no choice but to continue this struggle every day. But our allies do have a choice. We need you to choose to back us at every chance you have."
VALS said donations would support services such as The Wirraway Police and Prison Accountability Practice; which supports Indigenous families who've died in custody achieve justice, Baggarrook; a VALS support program for First Nations women transitioning out of prison and Balit Ngulu; a service advocating for Aboriginal children and young people who've come into contact with the legal system.
Ms Waight said the words spoken in recent months during the referendum campaign about wanting to empower Aboriginal communities "need to continue to be backed by actions".
"I ask everyone who wants to support our people to donate to the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service and the many other Aboriginal organisations that have been giving voice to our people for many decades," she said.
You can help VALS amplify the voices of their clients and communities by donating at vals.org.au/donate.
