Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO

She has been actively involved in Aboriginal Affairs for over 30 years and held positions in executive policy and community development in all levels of government.

Aunty Joy has a keen interest in the Arts and has produced and directed local, national and international performing arts projects over the past five years. She is a storyteller, writes short stories and is currently working on a television mini series.

Joy has worked in the Department of Premier and Cabinet as Executive Officer of the Victorian Aboriginal Interim Committee, in the Ministry of Planning and Environment, Aboriginal Affairs and Projects Branch, the Victorian Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Unit and the Museum of Victoria. She has also worked at the local level as the Aboriginal Community Development Officer in the Shire of Yarra Ranges and as a Tribal mentor of the Victorian Equal Opportunity Board/Anti Discrimination Tribunal for ten years.

From 1994-99, Aunty Joy was a committee member of the National Indigenous Reference Group of the Australian Local Government Association. From 1996-99 she was a Board Member of the Ministerial Advisory Committee for Aboriginal Affairs. In 1999, she was awarded an honorary professorship by Swinburne University of Technology. In 2000, she became a Trustee of the National Gallery of Victoria.

For the past six years, Aunty Joy has been privileged and proud to give traditional Welcome to Wurundjeri Land on many occasions. Some of the visitors she has welcomed to her land include: Mohammed Ali, Michael Jackson, Cardinal Martini, Xanana Gusmao, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, Nelson Hurricane Carter and Naomi Campbell.

Joy has worked with many people in Victoria to raise awareness and understanding of reconciliation with First Nations people. They include private and public schools, local government, numerous religious denominations, corporate businesses and community groups. Her work for the Aboriginal community for over the past 30 years has been outstanding and an inspiration.