Commissioner Eleanor Bourke during a public hearing of the Yoorrook Justice Commission. Photo: AAP/Con Chronis
The Yoorrook Justice Commission has delivered its two final reports as its term wraps up.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The delivery of the reports to Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner and First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria co-chairs Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg represents the final formal duties of Yoorrook’s commissioners, whose term ends on June 30.
The Victorian Government is expected to table these reports within parliament during the coming month, at which time they will become publicly available.
The final two reports are Yoorrook for Transformation, Yoorrook’s third and final interim report, and Yoorrook Truth Be Told— an official public record that includes a detailed account of the history of Victoria since the start of colonisation as told by First Peoples to Yoorrook.
It also contains the story of the commission from its earliest days to its conclusion, including key moments from its hearings with First Peoples, government ministers and other organisations.
Yoorrook chair Professor Eleanor Bourke said Yoorrook’s final report made 100 recommendations for change based on the lived experience of First Peoples and other Victorians.
‘’These recommendations provide a roadmap to create a better future, not just for our people but for every Victorian. Ultimately they must be implemented in full,’’ she said.
Yoorrook Justice Commission
Since Yoorrook was established in May 2021, it has:
Held 67 days of public hearings with more than 200 witnesses.
Received evidence from more than 2000 people, including 1500 First Peoples.
Received more than 1300 submissions.
Engaged with more than 9000 First Peoples.
Received around 10,000 documents from the state.
Held or been part of more than 400 community events.
Gathered evidence including through on-Country visits, roundtable hearings and visits to prisons and sites of cultural, historical and environmental significance.
Delivered a public education campaign – ‘First the talk. Now the walk.’ – elevating the truths shared by First Peoples, including displays at key Victorian cultural institutions.
Completed the 500km Walk for Truth from Portland to Parliament, which was joined by more than 14,000 people.
Made 148 recommendations for change across three interim reports.
Held final events, including a public celebration at Federation Square.
Yoorrook has also developed an official public record comprising a website, digital repository and physical artefacts collection.
This is to be held by State Library of Victoria as a caretaker under the guidance of the Victorian Indigenous Research Centre and First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.
‘’It had been one of the greatest privileges of my life to lead the Yoorrook Justice Commission over the past four years,’’ Prof Bourke said.
‘’I am extremely proud of what Yoorrook has achieved, from the depth of evidence gathered across the state to creating a safe space for First Peoples to share their truth.’’
Yoorrook Justice Commission deputy chair Travis Lovett, centre, on the final day of the Yoorrook Justice Commission Walk for Truth, in Melbourne. Photo: AAP/Joel Carrett
Prof Bourke thanked her fellow commissioners, deputy chairs Sue-Anne Hunter and Travis Lovett, Maggie Walter and Tony North, former commissioners Uncle Wayne Atkinson and Kevin Bell and Yoorrook staff.
She also paid tribute to the work of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, which is negotiating the first ever treaty in Australia.
“After four years of truth-telling, more Victorians now have a better understanding of our shared history and how this history connects with the present,’’ Prof Bourke said.
‘’Together we are walking towards a shared future based on truth, understanding and transformation.’’
13°C