Focus on Land, Sky and Waters 

The past few months, as Australia debated the Voice proposal, have been incredibly challenging for First Peoples. Now we must find ways to move forward together. 

The work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission is more important than ever. Yoorrook is investigating the impact colonisation has had and continues to have on First Peoples in Victoria. Yoorrook is listening to all Victorians and making recommendations to right the wrongs of the past and build a better future for everyone. 

Yoorrook is now focusing on land, sky and waters. First Peoples have been caring for country for thousands of generations. The history of Europeans coming to Victoria 200 years ago and taking First Peoples’ land is one of wrongdoing and devastating loss. But it is also a story First Peoples’ resistance, survival and ongoing connection to country.  

To move forward together, we must reckon with this past, and that includes understanding history from First Peoples’ perspective. 

^{Watch a video about the land, sky and waters focus area}

Yoorrook has released an Issues Paper inviting First Peoples and all Victorians to make submissions relating to land, sky and waters by 17 November 2023.  

Organisations and individuals can make submissions via the Yoorrook website.

Yoorrook is holding a large number of roundtable discussions across Victoria over the next few months to listen directly to Traditional Owners and record their truths and evidence for this area of inquiry.

Yoorrook’s evidence gathering will also include public hearings, visits to sites of significance, and issuing notices to produce to government. 

We can come together to tell the truth about our land, sky and waters. We can listen to each other with respect and hope and healing. Together we can find common ground and work toward a better shared future for everyone in this place we all call home. 

Support Available

Yoorrook has a range of support available for First People wanting to tell their truth.   

Yoorrook offers free, confidential and safe wellbeing services. Support might be a one-off yarn, ongoing counselling as you go through the truth telling process or connecting you with other services in your community.   

Wellbeing support is completely led by you. You can get support before, during and after you tell your truth. You can find out more about Yoorrook’s Social and Emotional Wellbeing services here.  

Yoorrook also offers a free, confidential legal service that can give you advice about sharing your truth safely. The Lotjpa Legal Service is independent of Yoorrook and is run by Victoria Legal Aid and the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service. Legal support is optional, and you can choose which provider you work with. You can find out more about Lotjpa here.    

There are also several options available if you need immediate support. Suggested contact numbers below:

Upcoming Focus Areas - Education, Health and Housing 

In addition to looking into land, sky and waters, Yoorrook is focusing on education, health and housing.  

Yoorrook will publish Issues Papers on these focus areas on the Commission’s website by late November. Organisations, experts and members of the public are invited to make submissions in response to these issues papers when they are released.  

Keep an eye on Yoorrook’s social media accounts for upcoming release dates.  

Yoorrook for Justice Report

In September, Yoorrook published Yoorrook for Justice: Report into Victoria’s Child Protection and Criminal Justice Systems. 

You can watch an overview of the report’s themes and recommendations below or read the full report at yoorookforjustice.org.au. 

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and pay our respect to them, their culture and their Elders past and present.