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

Feb 19, 2025
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?
Feb 14, 2025
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.
Jan 30, 2025
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.
Dec 24, 2024
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.
Mar 24, 2025
A moment of truth: Recording a country’s painful past
It’s called Yoorrook, the Wemba Wemba word for “truth”.
This truth-telling inquiry has spent years collecting testimony from hundreds of First Nations and non-Indigenous people, revealing the scale of atrocities and the failure of governments to reckon with the past.
Mar 6, 2025
Recommendations on gendered violence inquiry welcomed
More than $21 million in federal funding is announced as an Australian Law Reform Commission inquiry into justice responses to sexual violence is tabled.
Mar 5, 2025
Veronica Nelson’s death led to bail reform. A year on, the Victorian Government wants to backtrack
The laws, introduced in March last year after a long fight by advocates in the aftermath of the death of Indigenous woman Veronica Nelson in 2020, partly wound back the 2018 changes introduced in response to the Bourke Street attack and which saw the number of Aboriginal women in custody nearly double within a year.
Feb 4, 2025
In light of new data, experts ask how can Indigenous child removal rates be getting worse?
As First Peoples of these lands with an ongoing connection to Country that goes back tens of thousands of years, it is heartbreaking to know our children are still being taken from us in large numbers” – Yoorrook Deputy Chair, Sue-Anne Hunter
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Shed light on and learn the “hidden truth” of the colonisation of Victoria.
Yoorrook heard how today’s housing crisis stems from colonisation. Darren Smith, from Aboriginal Housing Victoria, said “you can draw a line”. Learn more.
Commissioners heard extensive evidence of past and ongoing racism and discrimination within Victoria’s health services, both for individuals requiring health care and Aboriginal organisations providing care. Learn more.
Watch what Yoorrook has heard about systemic injustice experienced by First Peoples in Victoria in relation to health, education, housing and economic life.
Media releases
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March 27, 2025
Yoorrook launches Walk for Truth from Portland to Parliament
Proud Kerrupmara Gunditjmara man, Commissioner Travis Lovett will walk from Portland to Parliament in an effort to bring Victorians together…
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February 27, 2025
Yoorrook welcomes legislative amendments to help safeguard First Peoples’ records
The Yoorrook Justice Commission has welcomed the passing of new legislation, the Inquiries Amendment (Yoorrook Justice Commission Records and Other…
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February 12, 2025
Victorians invited to join Commissioner in Walk for Truth from Portland to Parliament
Yoorrook Justice Commission Deputy Chair Travis Lovett will walk 370 kilometres from Gunditjmara Country in Portland to the Victorian Parliament…
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