FOY, Nikki

2022 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Alumna of theNikki Foy Year

Degree

Certificate IV Community Services, Alcohol and Other Drugs

Graduation year

2001

Nikki Foy is a proud Aboriginal woman, born and raised on Wadawurrung country, with family ties to the Gunditjmara and Wotubuluk clans. She has been heavily involved in Aboriginal advancement, self-determination and education for over 30 years.

Nikki graduated from the University of Ballarat with a Certificate IV Community Services, Alcohol and Other Drugs in 2001, and a Certificate IV Business Development in 2010.

She has extensive experience within early years; primary and secondary schools; TAFE and higher education settings, engaging with students and families; educators, government and community agencies. In 2021 Nikki was appointed Executive Manager, Social and Emotional Wellbeing at the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation where she ensures the provision of advocacy, information, policy and resources to Aboriginal Health Organisations.

Nikki has acted as Indigenous representative on many community and professional boards, committees, and groups including the Federation University Reconciliation Action Group; the City of Ballarat Koorie Engagement Action Group; and the Local Aboriginal Education Consultative Group. She has also been named City of Ballarat Multicultural Ambassador; won the Mallawalla Community Award; and the 2013 NAIDOC Community Education Award.

One of Nikki’s most powerful community projects was the inaugural Ballarat Survival Day Dawn Ceremony at Lake Wendouree in 2020. Over 1000 people attended the impactful event which was later Highly Commended at the Reconciliation Victoria HART Awards.

In 2022 Nikki travelled to Parliament House meeting with Ministers from both sides of Parliament, advocating for victims of the collapsed Aboriginal Community Benefit Fund and calling on the government for compensation and a fair resolution. This is indicative of the way Nikki has spent her life, by ensuring the welfare and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are acknowledged, recognised and improved.