Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

OVERVIEW

Gellung Warl - meaning 'tip of the spear' in Gunaikurnai language - is a First Peoples’ representative and deliberative body, underpinned by Aboriginal Lore, Law and Cultural Authority.

Gellung Warl is established as a statutory corporation under the Treaty Act. It is made up of three arms that work together:

- the First Peoples' Assembly, the political decision-making arm

- Nginma Ngainga Wara, an independent government oversight and accountability arm and

- Nyerna Yoorrook Telkuna, an independent mechanism for ongoing truth-telling.

Gellung Warl is guided by the Ngarrakeetoong Martongakeeyt (Community Vision) and is answerable to Community through the Larbargirrar Gnuurtak Tulkuuk (Community Governance and Answerability Framework), which sets out how Gellung Warl engages with and is answerable to First Peoples in Victoria.

Gellung Warl’s underlying purpose is to promote collective self-government, self-determination and empowerment of Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians, including by:

- by representing First Peoples in Victoria and exercising decision making powers in relation to First Peoples in Victoria

- representing First Peoples in Statewide Treaty negotiations with the State, including undertaking ongoing Statewide Treaty negotiations, and supporting Traditional Owner treatymaking

- providing for ongoing truth-telling and healing

- advising the Parliament and the State government in relation to matters that affect First Peoples and holding the State government to account in relation to its commitments to, and the impact of its actions on, First Peoples.

Walk with us and make history!

THE ROLE

The purpose of this role is to generate and manage media coverage and campaign communications that advance Gellung Warl’s organisational priorities, public messaging and Treaty outcomes. The role supports the effective delivery of media and campaign activity by developing media materials, monitoring and responding to news, supporting Co-Chairs and Members in public appearances, and contributing to broader communications outputs that build public awareness and support for Treaty.

This role requires the ability to navigate a complex and politically sensitive environment, ensuring media engagement, messaging, campaign communications and public content uphold Gellung Warl’s cultural authority, priorities and values while maintaining constructive relationships with colleagues, Traditional Owners, communities, stakeholders, journalists and relevant internal and external partners.

As part of the Campaigns & Communications function, the Media & Campaigns Advisor provides practical and strategic support across earned media, media monitoring, public messaging, briefing preparation, social media and supporter communications, working closely with the Campaigns & Communications Manager and relevant internal stakeholders to ensure campaign and media activity is timely, coordinated and aligned with organisational priorities. The role helps ensure Gellung Warl’s public narrative, campaign work and media presence are delivered in support of broader organisational and Treaty objectives.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

Core:

- Ensure decisions and actions align with Gellung Warl’s governance framework, operational requirements and statutory obligations.

- Engage respectfully with Traditional Owners and uphold cultural authority in all interactions.

- Provide high-quality media and campaign communications support to assist informed decision-making and effective delivery of organisational priorities.





- Work collaboratively across Gellung Warl to support public messaging, media engagement and alignment of campaign activity with organisational priorities.

- Maintain constructive working relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, journalists, producers and community representatives to support effective media and campaign outcomes.

Specific:

- Work with the Campaigns & Communications Manager to develop and deliver Gellung Warl’s earned media strategy.

- Monitor the media and prepare short media summaries for staff and Assembly Members.

- Write media releases, proactive pitches and reactive responses to news, events and media requests.

- Support Co-Chairs and Assembly Members to speak with and appear in media, including preparation of briefs, key messages, talking points and media support materials.

- Build and maintain relationships with journalists across Victorian, federal and First Nations media, maintain media lists and administer distribution tools.

- Support the broader Campaigns & Communications team in other duties as required, including creating social media content, speech writing, copy writing, posting content to the website, preparing email communications and maintaining CRM records.

- Assist to develop messaging strategies and creative tactics to generate public awareness and support for Treaty, including enrolment.

- Contribute to campaign and promotional activities that strengthen public engagement and support organisational priorities.

- Track media activity and provide timely reporting on coverage, emerging issues and progress against agreed priorities.

- Support mitigation of negative coverage through timely, strategic and values-aligned responses.

- Undertake other miscellaneous communications and promotional duties consistent with the role’s classification and purpose, as directed.

- Promote and support the achievement of Gellung Warl’s core values and contribute positively to its reputation through high-quality media and campaign communications practice.

- Undertake other duties consistent with the role’s classification and purpose as directed.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Media Relations and Strategic Communications

- Demonstrated experience developing and delivering communication products including media releases, speeches, reports, web content, eDMs and marketing collateral.

- Solid understanding of the media landscape, with the ability to identify opportunities, manage media enquiries and build productive relationships with journalists and producers.

- Experience crafting strategic, audience-focused messaging, including within contested, politically sensitive or high-profile environments.

Digital Communications and Content Management

- Experience creating, publishing and managing content across websites, email marketing platforms and digital communication channels.

- Proficiency in content management systems and digital engagement platforms such as WordPress, Campaign Monitor, SurveyMonkey or similar tools.

- Highly competent in web and email publishing applications, including backend administration and content maintenance.

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management

- Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders, community representatives,



media contacts and external partners.

- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across teams and functions.

- Ability to provide trusted communications advice and support to a diverse range of stakeholders.

Project Delivery and Organisational Capability

- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, campaigns, events and competing priorities while maintaining attention to detail and high-quality outcomes.

- Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to work independently and meet tight deadlines.

- Experience coordinating the development and production of communication and media materials from concept through to delivery.

Cultural Capability

- Passionate about being part of reform to benefit First Peoples in Victoria.

- Ability to work respectfully with First Peoples, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities.

- Demonstrated understanding of cultural safety and culturally responsive practice.

- Ability to build respectful, cooperative and culturally informed relationships.

- Commitment to Gellung Warl's values and organisational purpose.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

- Demonstrated experience developing high-quality communication materials, including media releases, speeches, reports, website content, eDMs, stakeholder communications and marketing collateral.

- Experience managing the production and delivery of communication products and campaigns from concept through to publication.

- Experience creating, publishing and maintaining content across websites and digital communication platforms.

- Strong stakeholder engagement experience, including working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to achieve communications outcomes.

- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Victorian Aboriginal communities, organisations and cultural protocols.

- Proven ability to work effectively, respectfully and with integrity within the context of a Victorian First Peoples’ Representative Body or a culturally responsive environment.

- Tertiary qualifications in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing or a related discipline, or equivalent demonstrated skilled experience.

- As part of our commitment to child safety and in line with the Working with Children Act 2005 (Vic), all roles within Gellung Warl require a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC).

Desirable:

- Experience in media relations, media monitoring, journalist liaison, issues management and proactive and reactive media engagement.

- Experience supporting Treaty, Indigenous rights, constitutional, governance or major reform processes.

- Knowledge of Victoria's First Peoples policy, legislative and governance environment.

SALARY & TERM

Ongoing

Salary from $116,413 per annum (full-time equivalent) plus superannuation, based on experience and expertise.

LOCATION

This role extends its reach across the Melbourne region with some regional travel as required.

How to apply

Please visit our website to review the full job profile and find out more about us on Treaty journey. Jobs - Gellung Warl

If you are ready to take on a challenging role and make a significant impact, please submit your resume, cover letter, and any other supporting documents to ••••@gellungwarl.org or follow the prompts to Apply Now!

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Note that interviews may commence prior to application close dates as suitable applications come through, so the position may be filled before close date.

Applications close: 30/08/26

📌 Media Advisor (Collingwood)
🏢 Gellung Warl
📍 Collingwood