Polling booths have opened in the historic First Peoples’ Assembly and to celebrate, free community events are being held across East Gippsland.

The First Peoples’ Assembly will be the voice of Aboriginal people in Victoria in the next step of the Treaty process.

It will be made up of Traditional Owners, elected by Aboriginal people in Victoria and Victorian Traditional Owners living outside the state.

Voting opened on September 16 and will close on October 20. Those eligible to vote can enrol and vote in person at the voting centres.

VOTING CENTRES

The Hub, 27 Dalmahoy Street, Bairnsdale. Open weekdays 10am – 6pm.

Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative (GEGAC), 37–53 Dalmahoy Street, Bairnsdale. Open weekdays 9am – 5pm from Monday, October 7 to Friday, October 11 (closed Wednesday, October 9).

Lakes Entrance Service Centre, Mechanics Street, Lakes Entrance. Open 9am – 4.30pm, Wednesday, October 9.

PICTURED: Alan Coe, Kaylene Williamson, Allora Quigley-Nielson, Jamie and Riley Williamson and Casey Ritchie at the Aboriginal fun day at Howitt Park on Saturday. It was a chance for Aboriginal people to get together, talk Treaty and enroll and vote for the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.