Walking for Truth: rewriting the history of Victoria by connecting with community, culture and Country
As the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s Walk for Truth approached its final steps toward Victorian Parliament, we witnessed communities across the city gathered in an extraordinary act of solidarity. We walked, talked, and shared thoughts, food (and rainjackets!) together for a future grounded in truth, and a future built on accountability.
You may have read about the Walk for Truth on social media, seen it talked about in the community, or on the news here or here.
Some Just Food Collective members were lucky enough to join various legs of the 450km walk, in Altona to the final stretch in the CBD, and the atmosphere was beautiful. Walking on Country with a purpose, in such a large and peaceful group was truly a unique experience, and one that has solidified our relationships to the places we live, work, and for many of us have grown up in. It was particularly special being Welcomed to Country with ceremony, and hearing from Commissioner Travis Lovett, who by the end of the walk had covered over 500km from Portland.
What is the Yoorook Justice Commission and the Walk For Truth?
In their words: “the Yoorrook Justice Commission is the first formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria. Yoorrook travelled across the state engaging directly with First Peoples and other Victorians to gather testimonies and understand the ongoing impacts of colonisation. The Commission visited regional towns, remote communities, and urban centres, as well as prisons, former missions and reserves, and other sites of cultural and historical significance.”
This walk marked the end of the four year process, culminating in the hand delivery of Yoorook’s final reports to Deputy State leader, Ben Carroll, on the steps of Victorian State Parliament on Spring Street.
The Just Food team and friends!
Experiencing the walk itself was powerful. What stood out most was the way communities showed up, not just with their feet, but with food, care and deep listening. Community events we saw were generously catered (a special shout-out to our friends at Showtime Events Group for the Whitton Oval event!), creating an environment where nourishment, both of Country and community, felt central. Walkers were kept safe by First Nations Traffic Management along the way and there was a great attention to detail for providing help and safety on the walk itself from friendly marshalls. For those of us passionate about food justice, it was particularly affirming to see the catering and such attention given to the basics, to ensure everyone could show up where possible. When communities come together around food, and take accessibility seriously, we begin to create the conditions for deep social change.
These events and the walk itself felt truly healing, as connecting with land, community, history and truth left us all feeling super grateful for the land that has sustained us and the irrefutable strength and resilience of the First Peoples who have walked it for over 60,000 years. We met up with fellow Just Food Collective walkers early at a café near the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, where we shared snacks and prepared to join the final 5km leg of the walk to Parliament. An impressive crowd of 5,000 people arrived to join the walk from Kings Domain to Parliament, a far cry from the 50-100 people CommissionerTravis Lovett admitted to the crowd that he’d initially expected.
The walk traced along St Kilda Rd, past the NGV and across the Birrarung (Yarra River) along both Bunurong and Wurundjeri Country. It continued up Flinders St, Russell St, and ended at Parliament Steps where a congregation of around 10,000 stood, witness to the historic moment of a barefoot Travis Lovett handing over Yoorook’s final reports to the State Government.
For those who joined with us on the walk, met us at Parliament steps on your lunch breaks, or joined for the celebrations at Fed Square afterwards, your presence was powerful. Truth-telling requires both courage and community. It asks us not only to bear witness to the strength of First Nations people, but to carry matters of social justice forward. To act. This movement reminded us that caring for each other by showing up, by listening and by sharing is foundational to justice.
If this is the first time you are learning about First Nations history in Australia, and are interested in the context for some of the things you have heard here—you can find out more below.
Build Your Knowledge | Yoorrook Justice Commission
Victoria's Colonial History to Now | Yoorrook Justice Commission
A big thank you to everyone who walked, supported, or simply held space for these moments to unfold. If you haven’t yet, make sure to stay connected with the Yoorrook Justice Commission in your feed for more information, ongoing updates and next steps.
This was more than a walk. It was a powerful statement from thousands of witnesses in the state of Victoria, putting pressure on the government to act with morality and accountability. It was community in action, showing solidarity for truth.
Read all of Yoorook’s reports and recommendations here.
