Yoorrook Deputy Chair Commissioner Travis Lovett, Kerrupmara and Gunditjmara man, had the vision and conviction to walk from Portland, where colonisation began, to Parliament in Melbourne. There the Yoorrook final report will then be handed to the Victorian government.
He is walking now, alongside local First Nations people and others, who have joined the walk at various stages. As the Commission stated:
“The walk will be a powerful way to build shared understanding of these truths, talking together about our history, while walking together to transform our future. For First Peoples and for all Victorians.
https://yoorrookjusticecommission.org.au/events/walkfortruth/
Two FOBIF committee members joined the walk on day 1 and day 2 at Portland. We arrived at the ‘convincing grounds’ at the end of day 1, the site of Victoria’s first recorded massacre of First Nations people. The second day, we visited Tae Rak Aquaculture centre and the UNESCO world heritage listed Budj Bim cultural landscapes. Stories were share by local First Nations people, stories of past, present and future aspirations.
As Victoria’s first formal truth-telling process, over the past four years, Yoorrook has heard powerful truths from people right across the state, giving evidence on the impacts of colonisation, including systemic injustice, as well as the strength, resistance and achievements of First Peoples. These truths form the basis of Yoorrook’s final reports, documenting the past and providing a roadmap to transform the future. The final report will be handed to the State Government at Parliament House on the final day of the walk, June 18. We urge anyone who is able, to join these walks & events. It is a meaningful way we can support our First Nations people and the movement towards Treaty.
The Convincing Grounds, Portland Victoria
Click on image for info/order page
Click on image for info/order page
Click on image for info/order page
