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Mel Peters

The ECHO Program taught Mel to know her worth and empowered her to seek out a workplace where she could be better supported to grow into a senior leadership role.

Mel Peters, ECHO First Nations Women’s Leadership Program participant

Mel started with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) in January 2024, as Manager of Aboriginal Employment and Development in the Enabling Self Determination Branch. Mel manages a team working towards increasing Aboriginal employment, mentoring, training and retention of mob. Her unit is responsible for ensuring DEECA’s Aboriginal Cultural Capability Framework is used by all staff.

What inspired you to apply?

I knew I was ready to step into a senior leadership role and wanted to share and grow with other Aboriginal women.

What has been the biggest take away message for you?

Know your worth.

How has this program helped you pursue your career goals and aspirations?

It helped me to set clear career goals and empowered me to leave an organisation that was not supporting me to grow. I am now where I need to be.

Read other participants’ experiences

Equality

Allyson Walker

Allyson Walker is a Yorta Yorta, Wemba Wemba, Gunditjmara and Taungurung woman with connections to other countries. She trained as a nurse, before moving into community development work.

Equality

Ange Jeffery

The ECHO Program inspired Ange to make the right decisions so she could keep working for an employer she loved while also pursuing her art practice.

Equality

Ellen Tunumafono

Thanks to ECHO, Ellen has taken on a new leadership role, applied her many new skills and connected with a strong network of ECHO alumni.

Equality

Indy Peters

Indy is Youth Co-ordinator at Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place (MMIGP). She organises culturally safe environments for Indigenous students to connect culturally and socially with each other.

Equality

Leticia Searle

Leticia is Educational Program Lead at Foodbank Victoria. She is committed to creating sustainable, collaborative programs that build capacity and provide opportunities for individuals to thrive.

Equality

Vicky Peters

Since completing the ECHO Program, Vicky has found a clearer vision of herself as a leader and a strategic path to pursue her leadership aspirations.

ECHO First Nations Women’s Leadership Program

The Elevating Connections and Healing Ourselves program is open to First Nations women in Victoria. ECHO provides a culturally appropriate and safe space to build on participants’ leadership roles.

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Department of Families, Fairness and Housing

Equality

Updated 12 January 2026

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