Climbing Victoria acknowledges and respect the Traditional Custodians of the lands where climbers gather, connect, and climb. We honor their enduring connection to Country, culture, and community and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

As representatives of the Victorian outdoor climbing community, we are committed to fostering a respectful, inclusive environment where advocacy for climbing access can coexist with respect for cultural heritage and the rights of First Nations peoples.

A Zero-Tolerance Stance on Racism

Racism in any form—whether explicit, casual, or systemic—has no place in the climbing community. Specific instances of racism in the context of climbing access debates, include:

●      Direct abuse or harassment of individuals based on their Aboriginality

●      Attempts to silence or delegitimise Aboriginal voices and perspectives

●      Denigration of Aboriginal culture, identity, and self-determination

●      Attempts to dismiss the legal and cultural rights of First Nations peoples.

These behaviours are not only harmful to individuals but also to the collective effort to build a climbing community grounded in respect, inclusion, and shared values. Such actions are unacceptable and will not be excused under any circumstances.

Anti-Racism Is Everyone’s Responsibility

Being anti-racist requires more than avoiding racist actions; it demands active effort. People should:

●      Reflect on their biases and educate themselves about racism, colonisation, and systemic inequality

●      Understand that First Nations peoples continue to experience the impacts of colonisation, including systemic racism and dispossession

●      Recognise that participation in climbing discussions may create cultural safety concerns for Aboriginal people due to the ongoing reality of racism

●      Call out racism whenever it is encountered, regardless of the context or the individuals involved.

Our Commitments

Climbing Victoria commits to the following:

●      Holding ourselves and our community accountable for addressing racism wherever it appears

●      Proactively educating ourselves on the history and ongoing impacts of racism and colonisation

●      Building relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities based on respect, cultural safety, and shared goals

●      Taking a zero-tolerance approach to racism in all forms, ensuring our spaces—online and offline—are inclusive and respectful.

We urge all climbers to engage constructively and respectfully in discussions about access, centering principles of equity and mutual respect.

Let us move forward together—acknowledging the past, respecting the present, and striving for a future that reflects the best of our shared humanity.