We are Djirra
Djirra is a place where culture is shared and celebrated, and where practical support is available to all Aboriginal women and particularly to Aboriginal people who are currently experiencing family violence or have in the past.
As most of our contact is with women, the work we do is predominantly designed by and for Aboriginal women.
We are an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation governed by an Aboriginal Board of Directors who are elected by our members.
Our journey started in 2002 when we were established as the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention & Legal Service (FVPLS Victoria). Since then we have grown, expanded our services, and evolved as an organisation, and now we are Djirra.
Djirra is the Woiwurrung word for the reed used by Wurundjeri women for basket weaving. Traditionally, when women gathered to weave, important talks took place and problems were solved. Djirra symbolises Aboriginal women today, still coming together to share stories, support each other and find solutions.
Our CEO
Antoinette Braybrook is an Aboriginal woman who was born in Victoria on Wurundjeri country. Antoinette’s grandfather and mother’s line is through the Kuku Yalanji, North Queensland.
Antoinette is the CEO of Djirra, a position she has held since the service was established in 2002. Djirra is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation which provides holistic, culturally safe and specialist legal and non-legal support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who experience family violence – predominantly women. Djirra also designs and delivers important, community-based early intervention and prevention programs and undertakes policy and law reform work to improve access to justice, strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s resilience and reduce vulnerability to violence.
In addition to Antoinette’s leadership in Victoria, Antoinette is Co-Chair of the Change the Record Campaign with Cheryl Axleby, CEO of the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement, South Australia, and leads the National FVPLS Forum with Phynea Clarke, CEO of CAAFLU Aboriginal Corporation from the Northern Territory and Wynetta Dewis, CEO of Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service (QIFVLS), Queensland. The National FVPLS Forum is the peak body for 14 Family Violence Prevention Legal services throughout Australia.
Antoinette was awarded the 2015 Law Institute of Victoria: Access to Justice/Pro Bono Award, the 2017 Inspirational Women of Yarra Award, and a 2015 Australian Centre for Leadership for Women award for Sustaining Women’s Empowerment. In 2020, Antoinette was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.
Our Team
Djirra has a great team of staff who is committed to providing culturally safe and accessible services to Aboriginal people seeking our support. We have a positive, professional and non-judgmental approach to work. Our staff is based in several offices in metropolitan Melbourne and across regional Victoria.
Annual Reports
Our offices
Melbourne Metro (Head office)
Djirra’s head office is located in Abbotsford and services areas in metropolitan Melbourne.
292 Hoddle Street
Abbotsford Vic 3067
info@djirra.org.au
Legal Services team: info.afvls@djirra.org.au
We are located at the Eastern Freeway end of Hoddle street, Abbotsford.
Public transport
Train: Victoria Park station (City – Hurstbridge / Mernda lines) – 5 min walk (exit via ramp away from the city and head towards Hoddle street).
Buses:
- On Hoddle Street (via City): 302, 304, 309, 350, 905, 906, 907, 908 (City – Box Hill, Bundoora, Doncaster, Donvale, Mitcham, The Pines and Warrandyte)
- On Hoddle Street (not via City): 246 (Elsternwick – Clifton Hill)
- On Johnston street: 200 and 207 (City – Bulleen and Doncaster)
Parking
There is no on site parking available nor on Hoddle street.
There is:
- 4 hour free street parking available on Lulie Street
- $6 all day car parking at Victoria Park Station off Lulie Street
The station and station car park are accessible to pedestrians from Lulie Street via the Station underpass and Truro Street.
For disabled parking, please contact reception prior to your visit to arrange parking.
Bicycle parking is available in the undercover area at the front of the building.
Ballarat region
P.O. Box 380
Ballarat Vic 3350
Barwon South West region
Our Warrnambool office services Geelong, Warrnambool, Framlingham, Heywood, Hamilton and Portland.
177 Koroit Street
Warrnambool VIC 3280
P.O. Box 1101
Warrnambool VIC 3280
Bendigo region
52 Queen Street
Bendigo Vic 3550
P.O. Box 1366
Bendigo Vic 3552
Echuca region
P.O. Box 2465
Echuca Vic 3564
Gippsland region
Our Bairnsdale office services the entire Gippsland region.
27 Pyke Street
Bairnsdale Vic 3875
P.O. Box 1281
Bairnsdale Vic 3875
Latrobe Valley
Our Morwell office services the Latrobe Valley.
246 Commercial Road
Morwell Vic 3840
P.O. Box 620
Morwell Vic 3840
Mildura region
Our Mildura office services Mildura local government area and Wentworth and delivers outreach services to Robinvale.
151 Langtree Avenue
Mildura Vic 3500
P.O. Box 10059
Mildura Vic 3502
Cultural map
