First The Talk. Now the WALK.

The true path forward starts here

Through Yoorrook, meaning 'truth' in Wamba Wamba language, over the past four years people across Victoria have shared their truths as evidence.

Now we invite everyone to listen and learn from the truths Yoorrook has heard.

Watch the truths shared
Image

Join us on the Walk for Truth

Victorians are invited to join the Yoorrook Justice Commission in a Walk for Truth from Portland to Parliament from the 25 May to 18 June. Learn more and sign-up for the Walk.
Image

Stories from the Walk for Truth

Follow along with Commissioner Lovett as we share powerful moments from the Walk to help build understanding of our shared history, while walking together to transform our future.

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

Stay informed

Sign up to the Yoorrook newsletter to be kept up-to-date.

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.
Image
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

View all videos
Image
33
Land Injustice

Gomeroi woman Dr Nikki Moodie shares the importance of Country

“All First Nations around the world are purposeful peoples. Teaching the next generation how to care for Country by caring for the stories and the languages that come from land is our purpose. Our purpose is to care for the land and our right to do so has been denied.”
Image
36
Child protection system

Ebony Phillips on the need for systemic change that continues to impact First Peoples families today

“Since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, the rate of Aboriginal deaths in custody has risen.”
Image
44s
Education

Jarvis Atkinson shares how the lack of support and exclusion in school impacted his life

“It really stood out to me how other children, how they were treated compares to how I seen my cousins get treated and how I was treated.”
Image
39s
Culture

Rueben Berg, Gunditjmara, shares the deep connection to the environment and to the land shown by his ancestors and passed down to First Peoples through the generations

“Our ancestors worked out you don’t need the whole tree. If you wanted a canoe one choice is you could go and chop down a tree and you could make a canoe, but then there is no more tree left.”
Nerita Waight
42
Land Injustice

Nerita Waight shares the strength of First Peoples and ongoing connection to culture, community and Country

“Terrible things have been done to us throughout the last 230 years of colonisation”
Image
33s
Culture

Paul Paton, Monero Ngorigo and Gunai, shares how Country includes family, culture, language, customs and spiritual beliefs

“Land is us and we are land. Land is central to what we call Country. Country is part of us and we are part of it…”
Image
35
History
Truth-telling

Gunditjmara and Yorta Yorta woman Keicha Day talks about the connection between historical truth and liberation

“Having all the facts means not making the same mistakes again. When we say self-determination, I just think of the end goal, which is black joy, but never forgetting how far we’ve come…”
Image
34s
Education

Wollithiga Elder Uncle Henry Atkinson recalls his experiences of racism and discrimination at school

“We weren’t allowed to have playtime at the same time as the other kids. We weren’t really encouraged to be good 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

Image

Cummeragunja walk-off

One of the first mass protests by First Peoples in Victoria’s history, it inspired action across the country for years to come
Image

What is Yoorrook up to in 2025?

Yoorrook represents Victoria’s commitment to understanding our shared history so we can build a better future together. The Commission has finalised its major hearing blocks and closed submissions. So, what is Yoorrook up to now?
Image

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.
Image

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.
Image

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.
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