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The true path forward starts here

About Yoorrook

The Yoorrook Justice Commission is the first formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria.

Yoorrook was set up by agreement between the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and the Victorian Government, but operates independently of both.

Yoorrook delivered an interim report in June 2022, a critical issues report in August 2023, and will deliver final reports in 2025.

Yoorrook is led by five Commissioners, of whom 4 are Aboriginal and 3 are Victorian First Peoples. The Commissioners bring a vast range of knowledge and experience about First Peoples’ knowledge, systemic disadvantage, land rights, history, law, trauma and healing.

More about Yoorrook

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Areas of work

Yoorrrook First Peoples mental health hearing panel - Auntie Nellie Flagg, Associate Professor Graham Gee, Sheree Lowe
Health
Yoorrook has heard evidence of past and ongoing racism and discrimination within Victoria’s health services, both for individuals requiring health care and Aboriginal organisations providing care.
Elias Jarvis, Commission for Children and Young People Youth Council
Education
Yoorrook has heard evidence on the barriers First Peoples face in accessing all levels of education, as well as the racism many still endure within the system.
The big orange cliffs of Gunigalg, Gariwerd (Grampians) surrounded by green trees and blue sky
Land, sky and waters
Yoorrook has heard evidence on land, sky and waters, including thousands of generations of First Peoples caring for Country, ongoing connection and the impacts of colonisation.
Yoorrook Commissioners presenting the Yoorrook for justice report in their hands with the Yoorrook shield behind them
Criminal Justice System
For First Peoples, the criminal justice system has long been a site of systemic injustice. Drawing from the evidence it has heard on this, Yoorrook has delivered the ‘Yoorrook for Justice’ report with findings and recommendations.
The Wright Family. Aunty Donna, Aunty Joanne Farrant and Aunty Tina photo from the shoulders up
Child protection system
Yoorrook has heard evidence on an unbroken connection between colonial child removal practices and Victoria’s current child protection system. Drawing from this evidence, Yoorrook has delivered the ‘Yoorrook for Justice’ report with findings and recommendations.
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Meet the truth receivers

Yoorrook's Truth Receivers assisted First Peoples community members to share their truths with the Commission.

Uncle Jim Berg, a Gunditjmara Elder
View submissions

Listen and learn from submissions received by the Yoorrook Justice Commission.

4 copies of the Yoorrook for Justice report placed on top of grass at the Kings Domain monument in Narrm
Reports of the Yoorrook Justice Commission

Read reports and recommendations of the Yoorrook Justice Commission.

Videos

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1m
Criminal justice system

“Prisons are not a place where women can heal.”

Djirra reports that “at least 24% of the women Djirra supported in 2023 had been misidentified as perpetrators of violence by Police. Misidentification leads to criminalisation, incarceration, and is a major contributor to the removal of our children.
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2M 49S
About submissions

Truth, Understanding and Transformation

Yoorrook Justice Commission Chair Professor Eleanor Bourke AM has thanked all those who shared their truths as part of this historic First Peoples-led truth-telling process, the first of its kind in Australia.
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48s
History

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Developed by Indigenous Peoples, it establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for Indigenous Peoples’ survival, dignity and wellbeing.
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1m 18s
History

Peter Sharp gives evidence into Deakin’s involvement in the Aborigines Protection Act 1886

Peter Sharp, a great grandson of former Prime Minister Alfred Deakin, gives the Commission evidence into Deakin’s involvement in the passage of the Aborigines Protection Act 1886.
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49s
History

“Intergenerational denial” – Dr Katrina Kell – Descendants Day

“Researching and critically analysing my ancestor’s role in facilitating the theft of Gunditjmara land and the abhorrent treatment of Aboriginal people in South-Western Victoria has been confronting but also cathartic.”
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1m 30s
History

Traditional Owners

“My hope from today is that other landholders let go that angst of worrying that land will be resumed or impacts on what they are wanting to do… it’s a shared journey and I hope that others will see that.”
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4m
History
Other topic

Introducing Descendants Day on ABC Breakfast

Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter appeared on ABC News Breakfast to discuss Yoorrook’s Descendant Day hearing.
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1m 16s
Education

“White kids didn’t like me simply because I was black.”

Aunty Nellie Flagg shares with Commissioners firsthand experiences of racism at school.

News and Stories

Discover the latest updates on Yoorrook's work, inspiring stories of strength and resistance from First Peoples, insightful opinion pieces from Commissioners, and engaging videos about truth-telling and history

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1965 Freedom Ride

In the 1965 Freedom Ride from ‍12-26 February, Arrernte man Charles Perkins led a group of university students across NSW to shine a light on injustice towards First Peoples.
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Passing of the Constitution

The passing of the Constitution enabled Australia’s six British colonies to become one nation, the Commonwealth of Australia, on 1 January 1901. The Constitution didn’t acknowledge the long history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia.
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The Immigration Restriction Act

On 23 December 1901 the Immigration Restriction Act became law. The colonies had restrictive immigration laws before federation, but the Act formalised the idea of a ‘White Australia’ as national policy.
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A powerful year for Truth and Treaty

In 2024 the Yoorrook Justice Commission investigated the systemic injustices faced by First Peoples in land, sky and waters, education, health, and housing. From hearing evidence at the site of the first recorded massacre in Victoria to the premier’s historic visit to Coranderrk, it has been a year filled with powerful moments.
First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria and Victorian Government members welcome the opening of Statewide Treaty negotiations as a group, smiling with fists raised in the air.

Yoorrook welcomes Treaty

Traditional Owners from across the state gathered to mark the opening of Statewide Treaty negotiations with dance, song and ceremony.
View more news and stories
From left to right Chair Professor Eleanor Bourke AM, Sue-Anne Hunter, Distinguished Professor Maggie Walter, Travis Lovett, The Hon. Anthony North KC.
Meet the commissioners