First The Talk. Now the WALK.
The true path forward starts here
Through Yoorrook, meaning 'truth' in Wamba Wamba language, over the past four years people across Victoria have shared their truths as evidence.
Now we invite everyone to listen and learn from the truths Yoorrook has heard.
Watch the truths shared
Join us on the Walk for Truth
Victorians are invited to join the Yoorrook Justice Commission in a Walk for Truth from Portland to Parliament from the 25 May to 18 June. Learn more and sign-up for the Walk.
Stories from the Walk for Truth
Follow along with Commissioner Lovett as we share powerful moments from the Walk to help build understanding of our shared history, while walking together to transform our future.
About Yoorrook
The Yoorrook Justice Commission is the first formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria.
Yoorrook was set up by agreement between the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and the Victorian Government, but operates independently of both.
Yoorrook delivered an interim report in June 2022, a critical issues report in August 2023, and will deliver final reports in 2025.
Yoorrook is led by five Commissioners, of whom 4 are Aboriginal and 3 are Victorian First Peoples. The Commissioners bring a vast range of knowledge and experience about First Peoples’ knowledge, systemic disadvantage, land rights, history, law, trauma and healing.
More about Yoorrook
Stay informed
Sign up to the Yoorrook newsletter to be kept up-to-date.
Areas of work
Health
Yoorrook has heard evidence of past and ongoing racism and discrimination within Victoria’s health services, both for individuals requiring health care and Aboriginal organisations providing care.
Education
Yoorrook has heard evidence on the barriers First Peoples face in accessing all levels of education, as well as the racism many still endure within the system.
Land, sky and waters
Yoorrook has heard evidence on land, sky and waters, including thousands of generations of First Peoples caring for Country, ongoing connection and the impacts of colonisation.
Criminal Justice System
For First Peoples, the criminal justice system has long been a site of systemic injustice. Drawing from the evidence it has heard on this, Yoorrook has delivered the ‘Yoorrook for Justice’ report with findings and recommendations.
Child protection system
Yoorrook has heard evidence on an unbroken connection between colonial child removal practices and Victoria’s current child protection system. Drawing from this evidence, Yoorrook has delivered the ‘Yoorrook for Justice’ report with findings and recommendations.
Meet the truth receivers
Yoorrook's Truth Receivers assisted First Peoples community members to share their truths with the Commission.
View submissions
Listen and learn from submissions received by the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
Reports of the Yoorrook Justice Commission
Read reports and recommendations of the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
Videos
View all videos
2m 22s
Culture
Cultural Heritage
Language
Taungurung artist Uncle Mick Harding
Taungurung artist Uncle Mick Harding, director of Ngarga Warendj, talks about the meaning message sticks hold.
33s
Dispossession
Accountability around the harms caused by the so-called ‘Half-Caste Act’, passed in Victoria in 1886
Gunai, Yorta Yorta, Gunditjmara, Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung man Alister Thorpe calls for accountability around the harms caused by the so-called ‘Half-Caste Act’, passed in Victoria in 1886.
34s
Child protection system
Aunty Eva-Jo Edwards shares her painful and disconnected experience of being taken into institutions growing up
Boon Wurrung/Bunurong, Yorta Yorta, Mutti Mutti woman Aunty Eva-Jo Edwards shares her painful and disconnected experience of being taken into institutions growing up.
32s
Child protection system
Massacres
Aunty Muriel Bamblett speaks on the lack of government accountability surrounding massacres and child removals.
Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung, Boon Wurrung Elder Aunty Muriel Bamblett speaks on the lack of government accountability surrounding massacres and child removals. She asks why nothing is being done.
33
Land Injustice
Gomeroi woman Dr Nikki Moodie shares the importance of Country
“All First Nations around the world are purposeful peoples. Teaching the next generation how to care for Country by caring for the stories and the languages that come from land is our purpose. Our purpose is to care for the land and our right to do so has been denied.”
36
Child protection system
Ebony Phillips on the need for systemic change that continues to impact First Peoples families today
“Since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, the rate of Aboriginal deaths in custody has risen.”
44s
Education
Jarvis Atkinson shares how the lack of support and exclusion in school impacted his life
“It really stood out to me how other children, how they were treated compares to how I seen my cousins get treated and how I was treated.”
39s
Culture
Rueben Berg, Gunditjmara, shares the deep connection to the environment and to the land shown by his ancestors and passed down to First Peoples through the generations
“Our ancestors worked out you don’t need the whole tree. If you wanted a canoe one choice is you could go and chop down a tree and you could make a canoe, but then there is no more tree left.”
News and Stories
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
A pivotal moment: the nation’s only truth telling commission nears its end
Yoorrook’s Chair, Professor Eleanor Bourke, reflected on the Commission’s legacy in an historic address to the Melbourne Press Club in May 2025.
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
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?
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.
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.
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.
