Yoorrook Justice Commission

Yoorrook Justice Commission Victoria's first and only formal truth-telling process into injustices experienced by Aboriginal people since colonisation.

Visit our website: https://yoorrookjusticecommission.org.au/
Phone: 1800 966 775
Email: [email protected] 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 a final report 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. HOUSE RULES

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As Yoorrook Justice Commission’s truth-telling work concludes, Commissioners and staff extend our deep respect and grati...
26/06/2025

As Yoorrook Justice Commission’s truth-telling work concludes, Commissioners and staff extend our deep respect and gratitude to every courageous individual and community who shared their truths. Your voices have shaped history and laid the foundation for justice and healing.

Thank you also to everyone who has supported Yoorrook - Victoria’s and Australia’s first formal truth-telling journey, led by First Peoples, in so many ways.

In listening, learning and talking about the truths Yoorrook has heard, and calling for its findings and recommendations for change to be implemented in full, we all have the power to build a better shared future.

To ensure this historic work lives on, Yoorrook has created an Official Public Record - a lasting resource for all. We invite everyone to continue the truth-telling journey at yoorrook.org.au.

In its work towards Treaty, the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria will continue the important work of honouring the truths shared through Yoorrook.

To continue supporting this nation-leading work, and to stay updated on the journey to Truth and Treaty, join Friends of Treaty or sign up for updates on the Assembly’s website: www.firstpeoplesvic.org/sign-up/

Thank you and let’s continue the journey to truth, understanding and transformation. We can’t change the truth of our past, but when we accept and understand it, we can walk forward together to a better shared future. For First Peoples and all Victorians.

As Yoorrook Justice Commission’s truth-telling work concludes, Commissioners and staff extend our deep respect and grati...
25/06/2025

As Yoorrook Justice Commission’s truth-telling work concludes, Commissioners and staff extend our deep respect and gratitude to every courageous individual and community who shared their truths. Your voices have shaped history and laid the foundation for justice and healing.

Thank you also to everyone who has supported Yoorrook - Victoria's and Australia's first formal truth-telling journey, led by First Peoples, in so many ways.

In listening, learning and talking about the truths Yoorrook has heard, and calling for its findings and recommendations for change to be implemented in full, we all have the power to build a better shared future.

To ensure this historic work lives on, Yoorrook has created an Official Public Record - a lasting resource for all. We invite everyone to continue the truth-telling journey at yoorrook.org.au.

In its work towards Treaty, the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria will continue the important work of honouring the truths shared through Yoorrook.

To continue supporting this nation-leading work, and to stay updated on the journey to Truth and Treaty, join Friends of Treaty or sign up for updates on the Assembly’s website: www.firstpeoplesvic.org/sign-up/

Thank you and let's continue the journey to truth, understanding and transformation. We can't change the truth of our past, but when we accept and understand it, we can walk forward together to a better shared future. For First Peoples and all Victorians.

Yoorrook has handed over its two final reports to the Co-Chairs of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, Ngarra Murra...
25/06/2025

Yoorrook has handed over its two final reports to the Co-Chairs of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg, and the Governor of Victoria, Margaret Gardner AC.

The delivery of the reports represents the final formal duties of Yoorrook’s Commissioners and the completion of the Commission’s mandate.

Since its establishment in 2021, Yoorrook has been guided by a powerful purpose: to uncover and acknowledge the truth of injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria – past and present – and to lay the foundations for lasting change.

Together with communities and Elders across the state, Yoorrook has:

- Held 67 days of public hearings with more than 200 witnesses
- Heard from over 2,000 people, including 1,500 First Peoples
- Received over 1,300 submissions
- Engaged with over 9,000 First Peoples
- Received around 10,000 documents from the State
- Heard at least 16 formal apologies by government reps for harms committed by the state against First Peoples
- Held/participated in more than 400 community events
- Gathered evidence through on-Country hearings, roundtables, prison visits and cultural site visits
- Delivered public education campaign - “First the talk. Now the walk.” - elevating the truths shared by First Peoples, including at key Victorian cultural institutions
- Participated in the ABC Four Corners program – Truth/Yoorrook
- Given 100s of media interviews and speeches including at the Melbourne Press Club
- Completed a 500km Walk for Truth from Portland to Parliament, joined by more than 14,000 people
- Created an Official Public Record comprising a website, digital repository and physical artefacts collection, to be held by State Library Victoria as caretaker under guidance of the Victorian Indigenous Research Centre and First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria
- Made 148 recommendations for change across 3 interim reports
- Marked the culmination of its work with a community celebration.

Together, these actions create a legacy of truth, courage and hope — a foundation on which future generations can build.

We invite everyone to continue the truth-telling journey at yoorrook.org.au.

24/06/2025

To ensure the historic truth-telling work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission lives on as a resource for everyone, Yoorrook has developed an Official Public Record, comprising a website, digital repository and physical artefacts collection from the Commission.

This means everyone can keep listening to and learning from the truths Yoorrook has heard, beyond the Commission's lifetime.

You will start to see the new-look Official Public Record website from this week at www.yoorrook.org.au.

The Official Public Record will be held by State Library Victoria as a caretaker under the guidance of the Victorian Indigenous Research Centre and First Peoples’ Assembly Victoria. This is the first time records created by and for First Peoples will be held outside the library’s State Collection — a significant recognition of cultural authority and self-determination.

This reflects an important step towards Aboriginal self-determination and Indigenous stewardship of history.

We invite everyone to keep listening and learning from the truths Yoorrook has heard and its historic truth-telling work through the Official Public Record.

www.yoorrook.org.au

Yoorrook Justice Commission is the first formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced...
23/06/2025

Yoorrook Justice Commission is the first formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria.

This powerful work involves the creation of an Official Public Record to share testimonies and stories with consent, which State Library Victoria is honoured to host as caretaker in trust.

Last week, Wergaia/Wamba Wamba Elder and Chair of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, Professor Eleanor Bourke AM, and State Library Victoria CEO Paul Duldig, signed the deed of deposit to formalise the custodianship of the Official Public Record.

The record, which encompasses a digital repository and physical artefacts, is cared for under the guidance of the Victorian Indigenous Research Centre (VIRC), which is based at the Library, and First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. This reflects an important step towards Aboriginal self-determination and Indigenous stewardship of history.

SLV's role as caretaker will be in place until a dedicated Indigenous Records body is established to affirm First Peoples’ leadership, cultural sovereignty and rights over their stories.

This is the first time records created by and for First Peoples will be held outside the State Collection – a significant recognition of cultural authority, and a step on the roadmap for justice and systemic reform in Victoria.

22/06/2025

"My mother was born in a time when humanity was absent. My mother was born in this country where she had no rights as an Aboriginal woman.
She could not vote, she could not own land and she could not practice her culture. And yet my mother survived to be a strong Aboriginal woman.
It is because of her I can."

Gunditjmara woman Dr Jill Gallagher AO reflects on her mother's strength and how she has paved the way for future generations.

In its final month, Yoorrook will elevate the truths shared by First Peoples through “First the talk. Now the walk.”

Keep an eye out for these powerful truths in some of Victoria’s key cultural institutions and visit the Yoorrook website for more.

We can't change the truth of our past, but by accepting and understanding it, we can walk forward together to a better shared future. For First Peoples and all Victorians.

First the talk. Now the walk.
The true path forward starts here.
yoorrook.org.au

20/06/2025

Content warning: This video discusses sexual assault and content that may be distressing.

"There's far too many of my community with stories like this where the trauma has been so destructive and yet people don't understand that."

Gunai Kurnai man Uncle Ricky Baldwin, founder and CEO of Koorie Academy, talks about how education is required to understand the impact of the past and the traumas inflicted on First Peoples by a white system.

Visit the Yoorrook website to learn more from Ricky's powerful submission.

We can't change the truth of our past, but by accepting and understanding it, we can walk forward together to a better shared future. For First Peoples and all Victorians.

The true path forward starts here.
yoorrook.org.au

Thank you to the many who shared your truth with the Yoorrook Justice Commission.By contributing to Australia's first tr...
20/06/2025

Thank you to the many who shared your truth with the Yoorrook Justice Commission.

By contributing to Australia's first truth-telling Commission, people right across Victoria have helped make history. As Yoorrook prepares to conclude on 30 June 2025, here's what will happen to the evidence we have heard:

- Official Public Record -
Managed and governed by First Peoples for First Peoples. State Library of Victoria will host Yoorrook's archive as caretaker, not owner of First Peoples' records.

- Published Evidence -
If you gave permission for your evidence to be published, it will be part of:

• Digital truth-telling archive
• Official Public Record publication

Cultural liaison support is available for any consent changes or to discuss concerns about who can see your records.

See yoorrook.slv.vic.gov.au

- Closed Evidence -
If you gave closed evidence or didn't provide permission to publish:
Your evidence will be safely kept at Public Record Office Victoria only - NOT part of public record or digital archive.

- 99-Year Protection -
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander confidential records:

• Are closed for 99 years
• Cannot be accessed or inspected

- Truth-Telling Legacy -
Your evidence helps tell the full story of Victoria's history - making it a better place for everyone.

"We cannot move forward together unless we understand the truth of the past" - Professor Eleanor A Bourke AM, Chair

Questions? Use Consent Enquiry Form:
yoorrook.slv.vic.gov.au

20/06/2025

"So I chose not to identify, just so I could take a break from the constant racism that I experienced. As a white-passing Aboriginal student towards the end of my secondary schooling and through changing schools, I chose not to identify in my new setting. Even today, I look back on this time with such sorrow."

Dja Dja Wurrung man Dr Aleryk Fricker reflects on the pain he still feels over choosing not to disclose his Aboriginal identity in high school, so that he could avoid facing racism.

In its final month, Yoorrook will elevate the truths shared by First Peoples through “First the talk. Now the walk.”

Keep an eye out for these powerful truths in some of Victoria’s key cultural institutions and visit the Yoorrook website for more.

We can't change the truth of our past, but by accepting and understanding it, we can walk forward together to a better shared future. For First Peoples and all Victorians.

First the talk. Now the walk.
The true path forward starts here.
yoorrook.org.au

"Yoorrook remains the only form of truth-telling process in this country still. Hopefully it won't be the last. Truth-te...
19/06/2025

"Yoorrook remains the only form of truth-telling process in this country still. Hopefully it won't be the last. Truth-telling is about bringing people together, it's uplifting and leads to greater understanding between us all."
- Yoorrook Chair, Professor Eleanor Bourke AM

The truths Yoorrook has heard over its four-year journey were brought to Parliament in the Walk for Truth yesterday, in a powerful moment in truth-telling history. After the conclusion of the mighty journey, thousands gathered in Fed Square to commemorate the culmination of Yoorrook's historic truth-telling work.

Uncle Charles Pakana opened the celebrations on stage and Wurundjeri Aunty Annette Xiberras welcomed everyone to Country along with a smoking ceremony.

The celebration ceremony included Tanderrum – 8 powerful First Nations dance groups and Jason Tamiru.

Deputy Chair, Commissioner Travis Lovett then handed a message stick to Rueben Berg, Co-chair of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, to carry on truth-telling in the journey to Treaty.

The event concluded with a moving performance from Uncle Kutcha Edwards and his band.

We would like to thank everyone that walked beside us, told their truths and joined the final event.

The truth-telling journey is not over. We invite everyone to listen, learn and share the truths Yoorrook has heard.

We can’t change the truth of the past, but when we accept and understand it, we can walk forward together to a better future. For First Peoples and all Victorians.

www.yoorrook.org.au

Address

54 Wellington Street
Collingwood, VIC
3066

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