Historic Walk for Truth to Parliament House passes halfway point

Truth-telling Deputy Chair and Commissioner Travis Lovett has reached a new milestone on his 25-day, Australian-first walk from Portland to Parliament House in Melbourne.

On Wednesday the Walk for Truth reached Pomborneit, crossing the halfway point on the 450km plus journey from the place where colonisation started in Victoria in 1834 to Parliament, where decisions continue to be made affecting the lives of First Peoples.

During the first 11 days of the Walk for Truth:

• Deputy Chair Commissioner Lovett walked 253km
• More than 2,500 people took part in walk legs or events
• A further 6,600 people have registered for upcoming walk legs or events
• More than 2,300 people have registered to attend the final day of the walk from the Shrine of Remembrance to Parliament House on June 18

The Walk is part of the final events of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, Victoria’s formal truth-telling process and the first of its kind in Australia. The four-year commission will end on 30 June, 2025.

Yoorrook Deputy Chair and proud Kerrupmara Gunditjmara man, Commissioner Travis Lovett said:

“We are now just over halfway through this historic journey from where colonisation started in Victoria to the place where decisions are made that can transform the future – not just for First Peoples but for all Victorians.

“The body is sore but my heart is full. I am overwhelmed by the kindness, generosity and interest of people from all walks of life in this journey, that has been 191 years in the making.

“Together we have walked to massacre sites and ancient meeting places, to former missions and sites of global significance, including shell middens and an ancient fireplace with the potential to re-write our understanding of human history.

“The Walk is about coming together to listen and learn about the past and move forward together, and that’s exactly what we are doing. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been involved. I hope all Australians will join us on the walk.”

The Walk for Truth includes 17 public sections along with at least 10 events. Find out more and register to join the Walk for Truth.

The walk has visited the Convincing Ground massacre site outside Portland and the World Heritage Listed Budj Bim Cultural Landscape. In Port Fairy a millennia old practice of exchanging message sticks took place between Traditional Owners as Commissioner Lovett passed through Country.

The Walk visited Moyjil, where there are shell middens and an old fireplace that are tens of thousands of years old before heading inland to the Framlingham mission and Mount Noorat, a traditional Aboriginal meeting place.

The Walk will travel through Geelong, Werribee and Footscray before arriving at Parliament House on June 18.

Media enquiries: Evan Schuurman | 0408 847 385 | [email protected]