Wurrek Tyerrang Block 1
Public Hearings
The Yoorrook Justice Commission held a wurrek tyerrang (public hearing) in Melbourne from 26 April to 6 May 2022.

The scope and purpose of the public hearing was to hear from Victorian First People Elders whose experiences illustrate many of the key impacts of colonisation still felt today.

On 5 May 2022, the wurrek tyerrang heard from the Co-Chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. On 6 May 2022, the wurrek tyerrang also heard from the Victorian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.

The issues examined at the wurrek tyerrang included:

  • The importance and scope of Treaty and truth telling
  • Dispossession of First Peoples from their lands and waters
  • Ongoing dispossession by law and systemic injustice
  • Removals of children
  • Responsibility of the State and State entities for First Peoples’ dispossession
  • Constitutional, structural and justice reforms

 

Documents
26 April 2022
Transcript Wurrek Tyerrang Day 1 - Uncle Jack Charles(PDF)
28 April 2022
Transcript Wurrek Tyerrang Day 2 - Uncle Johnny Lovett(PDF)
29 April 2022
Transcript Wurrek Tyerrang Day 3 - Uncle Johnny Lovett(PDF)
2 May 2022
Transcript Wurrek Tyerrang Day 4 - Aunty Fay Carter(PDF)
4 May 2022
Transcript Wurrek Tyerrang Day 5 - Aunty Alma Thorpe(PDF)
5 May 2022
Transcript Wurrek Tyerrang Day 6 - Marcus Stewart, Co-Chair, First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria(PDF)
6 May 2022
Transcript Wurrek Tyerrang Day 7 - The Hon Gabrielle Williams MP, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs(PDF)
26 April 2022
Wurrek Tyerrang Block 1 Week 1 Witness List (PDF)
2 May 2022
Wurrek Tyerrang Block 1 Week 2 Witness List (PDF)
• Exhibit 1.0 Balert Keetyarra (Witness Statement) of Uncle Jack Charles dated 26 April 2022
• Exhibit 1.1 Born Again Blakfella
• Exhibit 1.2 Witness Statement of Uncle Jack Charles for Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (2015)
• Exhibit 1.3 Who Do You Think You Are - Jack Charles
• Exhibit 1.4 Bastardy (A. Courtin Wilson and P Campey, 2009)
• Exhibit 2.0 Balert Keetyarra (Witness Statement) of Uncle Johnny Lovett dated 27 April 2022
• Exhibit 2.1 Annexure A Photos from Lake Condah Mission
• Exhibit 2.2 Annexure B Photos of the Lovett Brothers
• Exhibit 2.3 Annexure C Recruiting Office Record
• Exhibit 2.4 Annexure D Letter from Herbert Lovett
• Exhibit 2.5 Annexure E Newspaper Article RE Soldier Settlement
• Exhibit 2.6 Annexure F Letter from Samuel Lovett
• Exhibit 2.7 Annexure G Letter from Secretary to Minister of Lands
• Exhibit 2.8 Annexure H Letter from Minster of Lands
• Exhibit 2.9 Annexure I Newspaper Article RE Boxing Tents
• Exhibit 2.10 Annexure J Citizenship Opinion Paper
• Exhibit 2.11 Annexure K Flag Designed by Uncle Johnny
• Exhibit 2.12 Annexure L Country Music Concert Photo
• Exhibit 2.13 Annexure M Photos with Family at Ernabella
• Exhibit 2.14 Annexure N Plant Charts from Budj Bim Tours
• Exhibit 2.15 Annexure O Photo of Tour Group
• Exhibit 3.0 Balert Keetyarra (Witness Statement) of Aunty Fay Carter dated 29 April 2022 (Redacted)
• Exhibit 3.1 Annexure A Chapter from ‘Djuwima Djarra. Dja Dja Wurrung Kiakiki Wangedak’ (2014) entitled ‘Aunty Fay Carter'
• Exhibit 3.2 Annexure B Photo of community members at Cummeragunja Church
• Exhibit 3.3 Photo from Aboriginal Ball
• Exhibit 3.4 Photo of Nelson family
• Exhibit 3.8A Recording sheet for Nanna Priscilla McCrae
• Exhibit 4.0 Balert Keetyarra (Witness Statement) of Aunty Alma Thorpe dated 3 May 2022
• Exhibit 4.1 Annexure A I want to be known as a Gunditjmara activist article
• Exhibit 4.2 Annexure B 'Shifting Definitions the 1886 Aborigines Protection Act' Thesis
• Exhibit 4.3 Annexure C A History of the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service thesis
• Exhibit 4.4 Annexure D Life story of Edna Brown and covering letter - Margaret McGregor and Annette Street
• Exhibit 4.5 Annexure E Photo from backyard in Kent Street, Fitzroy
• Exhibit 4.6 Annexure F Photo of Granny Lovett and Edna Brown in Kent Street, Fitzroy
• Exhibit 4.7 Annexure G Photo of George Clarke, Norman Clarke and Fleetwood Clarke
• Exhibit 4.8 Annexure H Photo of Aunty Alma Thorpe with Will Shakes Spears dance group at opening of Aunty Alma Thorpe Gathering Space
• Exhibit 4.9 Interview with Aunty Alma Thorpe (3CR Radio Station)
• Exhibit 4.10 Photo of William (Billy) Thorpe
• Exhibit 5.0 Balert Keetyarra (Witness Statement) of M Stewart dated 29 April 2022
• Exhibit 6.0 Balert Keetyarra (Witness Statement) of the Hon Gabrielle Williams MP dated 5 May 2022
• Exhibit 6.1 Annexure A Questions Minister asked to address in witness statement, as advised by the Commission (11 March 2022)
02/05/2022
Restricted Publication Order - Aunty Fay Carter
02/05/2022
Closed Wurrek Tyerrang Hearing Order