Our Portraits of change series presents insights from the lives of four community change-makers, who have brought their lived experience to programs of co-design with us and our partners, to send a mental health sector reform on the right path.
Robbie Dettman, A Palawa Man from Lunawanna-Alonnah, has collaborated with Today on many projects, starting with the Victorian Government's mental health digital strategy. He is committed to working across mental health reforms to build a brighter future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and LGBTIQA+ people in Victoria.
Robbie Dettman by Michaela Skovranova, 2023
Hi Robbie, please tell us a little bit about yourself.
Me, Myself and I, I am a Palawa Man originally from Tasmania. I am a Traditional Owner of the Nuenonne Tribal lands in South East Tasmania, Lunawanna Alonha.
My claim to fame is that I went to school with Mary Donaldson, Princess of Denmark.
I spent most of my adult life on the lands of the Gadigal people in Redfern in Sydney. I have worked in international advertising, government policy directorate and currently I work at the peak Aboriginal health organisation: Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO). My current role is the Living Experience Policy Project Officer and I represent AOD, Mental Health, LGBRTQUI+ABS, Disability, BBV’s as well as interface for the plethora of Aboriginal intersectional impacts such as Stolen Generation.
My favourite scent is Quorum which reminds me of the moss that grows at the base of tree ferns that grow on Mount Wellington in Hobart.
What does a brighter future look like to you?
A brighter future looks like a world where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have self-determination. Where digital technology fails and we all go back to being real and at one with the land, waterways and skies and actually speaking to one another.
Where the entire population is restrained of the importance and value of being present and how they can achieve this.
Where the politicians and police stop being criminally corrupt and harming people simply because they have power and privilege given to them by the people that they harm.
Right: Robbie Dettman photographed by Michaela Skovranova, 2023
A brighter future looks like a world where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have self-determination.
Robbie Dettman
How does strategic design help us get there?
Sadly, strategic design will never get us there because humans are egotistical and in being so won’t make the time to stop and be present. That said, we work with what we have and strategic design will ensure that the paths that we are on have strong foundations and outcomes, if the powers that be ensure that they are well funded.
What is one thing you want the world to hear?
The world is precious, so very precious. This is not the only time that you will be here, so please make sure that you treat it with love and care as well as the other people for which you share it.
My cultural belief marries with my lived experience. When I was 14 I passed three times and the spirits of the ancients were present to provide choice and guidance. To coin a well-worn saying, “This is not a dress rehearsal so don’t waste it.”
The world is precious, so very precious. This is not the only time that you will be here, so please make sure that you treat it with love and care as well as the other people for which you share it.
Robbie Dettman
