Land, sky and waters

A sunset viewed between gum trees across a multi tiered mountain landscape from Bulla Bulla (Mt Buller) - Taungurung Country
Bulla Bulla (Mt Buller) - Taungurung Country
A thin silver waterfall falling off gigantic cliffs and into the ocean at the Great Ocean Rd - Eastern Maar and Wadawurrung Country
Great Ocean Rd - Eastern Maar and Wadawurrung Country
A small multi cascade waterfall surrounded by lush green fern trees and forest at Cora Lynn cascades, Cape Otway - Gadubanud and Bunurong Country
Cora Lynn cascades, Cape Otway - Eastern Maar and Wadawurrung Country
3 pillars of orange rocks towering out of the ocean at Millowl (Phillip Island) - Bunurong Country
Millowl (Phillip Island) - Bunurong Country
A sunrise with Bulla Bulla (Mt Buller) silhouetted by the sun and gum trees on Taungurung Country
Bulla Bulla (Mt Buller) - Taungurung Country
Giant orange and grey cliffs at Gunigalg, Gariwerd (Grampians) - Djab Wurrung and Jardwardjali Country
Gunigalg, Gariwerd (Grampians) - Djab Wurrung and Jardwardjali Country
Looking down on clouds hanging low over a valley full of lush green bushes at Gariwerd (Grampians) - Djab Wurrung and Jardwardjali Country.
Gariwerd (Grampians) - Djab Wurrung and Jardwardjali Country

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About Yoorrook

Why are Land, sky and waters important?

The Yoorrook Justice Commission is looking into land, sky and waters as part of the truth telling process in Victoria.

First Peoples have been caring for country for thousands of generations. The history of Europeans coming to Victoria 200 years ago and taking First Peoples’ land is one of wrongdoing and devastating loss.

But it is also a story First Peoples’ resistance, survival and ongoing connection to country.

“Our culture is ancient and our culture is strong, yet we still suffer the wrongs of the past. With tears on the landscape and scars on our heart, our truth needs to be told.”

Aunty Jill Gallagher, CEO of VACCHO

On this page are some of the responses Yoorrook has received as part of its inquiry.

What does country mean to you?

View more Shared Truths

Home it’s a place to belong and feel welcomed where ever I turn

More from Tara Atkinson

Family, Friends, Aboriginal community.

Thanks you giving us pieces of land living Thanks …

More from Barry Gilc

Country is a holistic concept to me. Land, sea, sky, water, air.

More from Anonymous 316

Country to me is about sharing & teaching both on an emotional & physical level. I believe in the saying if we look after Mother Nature, she will look after us. For indigenous people Country is a sense of home & always has a way of making you feel like you belong.

More from Uleena Murray

Connection

More from Anonymous 829

Means everything. Our culture and upbringing always taught us to respect our people, respect the country, waterways and oceans.

More from Uncle Alby Zantuck

Land and people

More from Ananth Mallipudi

Country is culture, Lore, knowledge and life, according to our ancestral ways of knowing, being, doing, caring for country. Looking after all living and non living things. This is common to all Aboriginal people, regardless of mob or origin.

More from Anonymous 1190

    News, Stories and Videos

    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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    News & Stories
    19 February 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?
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    News & Stories
    18 December 2024

    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.
    Close up of Deputy Chair of the Yoorrook Justice Commission Travis Lovett at a public hearing.
    Videos
    21 May 2024

    “This premier, is a double dispossession”

    “This premier, is a double dispossession” Yoorrook Deputy Chair Travis Lovett states in his opening remarks to Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan at yesterday’s Land, Sky and Water Hearings.
    First People performing a traditional ceremonial dance at a Welcome to Country at the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape in Portland
    News & Stories
    16 May 2024

    What Yoorrook heard about land, sky and waters

    The history of Europeans coming to Victoria 200 years ago and taking First Peoples’ land is a history of wrongdoing and loss. But it is also a story First Peoples’ resistance, survival and strength.
    View more news and stories

    Other information

    Image

    Land, Sky and Waters submissions

    Make a submission to help Yoorrook recommend changes to right the wrongs of the past and make a better shared future for everyone.
    Make a Submission
    Cape Conran beach, the ocean is blue on the right surrounded by a rocky-sandy beach with that leads into a lush green forest

    Land, Sky and Waters Videos

    Watch videos showing connection to Country and the impact of colonisation.
    View land injustice videos
    Commissioner Lovett with Tati Tati Traditional Owners in-front of a giant tree and lake

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