Submissions

How to make a submission

Yoorrook, Victoria’s truth telling Commission, invites First Peoples to tell us about your experiences of injustice.

You can share the truth about any injustice you like by making a submission. For example truths about:

your local area
your family’s experiences
experiences of racism, forced removal from home and land, massacres, forced labour, cultural loss, intergenerational trauma, economic disadvantage and stolen wealth
acts of resistance and resilience

You can also make suggestions about changes you would like to see, such as changes to laws or policies.

Social and emotional wellbeing support and legal support is available to First People telling their truth.

Yoorrook’s Truth Receivers can also help you to put together your submission.

Recent Videos

More Submissions

Submissions to the Yoorrook Justice Commission have now closed. Thank you for sharing your stories.

Truth, Understanding and Transformation

Yoorrook Justice Commission Chair Professor Eleanor Bourke AM has thanked all those who shared their truths as part of this historic First Peoples-led truth-telling process, the first of its kind in Australia.

Dec 2, 2024

Your submission to Yoorrook is important

Watch Shayne talk about the importance of making your truth telling submission to Yoorrook and how Truth Receivers like him can help.

Nov 2, 2023

Get to know Truth Receiver Stephen Thorpe

I am Stephen Thorpe and belong to the Gunnai, Gunditjmara, Yorta Yorta and Palawa nations. I was born in Naarm (AKA Melbourne) on Wurundjeri land.

Oct 10, 2023

Yarn with a Truth Receiver from the Yoorrook Justice Commission

Proud Gunditjmara and Monero/Gunnai man Joseph Saunders wants to help create a better future for his kids.

Jun 12, 2023

How we can support you

Yoorrook has free and confidential social and emotional wellbeing and legal supports available for you. Speaking to Yoorrook about your experiences can sometimes feel too much. While some people get by really well and have strong support networks already, Yoorrook recognises this isn’t the case for everyone. Free, confidential and safe social and emotional wellbeing support is available to people

Jun 1, 2023

How to make a submission

Yoorrook, Victoria’s truth telling Commission, invites First Peoples to tell us about your experiences of injustice. You can share the truth about any injustice you like by making a submission. For example truths about: your local area your family’s experiences experiences of racism, forced removal from home and land, massacres, forced labour, cultural loss, intergenerational trauma, economic disadvantage and stolen

Jun 1, 2023

How your story and data will be used

Jun 1, 2023

Other Topics

Walk for Truth

Yoorrook Justice Commission invites you to be part of the Walk for Truth from Portland to Parliament.

History

Shed light on and learn the “hidden truth” of the colonisation of Victoria.

Close up hands performing a smoking ceremony at a Welcome to Country.

Housing Videos

Yoorrook heard how today’s housing crisis stems from colonisation. Darren Smith, from Aboriginal Housing Victoria, said “you can draw a line”. Learn more.

Health Videos

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.

Aunty Jill Gallagher and Sheree Lowe discuss the health system in the Yoorrook hearing room.

Social Justice Videos

Watch what Yoorrook has heard about systemic injustice experienced by First Peoples in Victoria in relation to health, education, housing and economic life.

Land Injustice videos

In yarns & submissions, First Peoples are telling Yoorrook about the importance of land, sky & water and the impact of colonisation. Hear what they have to say.

Jedah wearing Aboriginal Body Art outdoors infront of a fire put while discussing how the Victorian education system be improved for First Peoples

Education videos

Yoorrook is looking into the barriers First Peoples face in accessing all levels of education, as well as the racism many still endure within the system. Now is the time to have your say by making a submission.

Yoorrook for Justice

The Yoorrook for Justice report is the culmination of Yoorrook’s year-long inquiry into Victoria’s child protection and criminal justice systems.

Yoorrook Events

The Yoorrook NAIDOC events included an Elders Panel that featured Yoorrook Chair Aunty Eleanor Bourke and Uncle Kevin Coombs.