Former Yoorrook Justice Commission deputy chair and commissioner Travis Lovett led the large crowd of walkers through Seymour.
Photo by
Billie Davern
More than 100km in and a long road ahead, Travis Lovett’s tenacity to tell the truth hasn’t faded one bit.
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The former Yoorrook Justice Commission deputy chair and commissioner joined thousands last year on a walk from Portland to Victorian Parliament, but in December, Mr Lovett announced that walk was only the beginning.
Now on his second Walk for Truth, Mr Lovett is tackling about 850 kilometres on a trek from Victorian Parliament to Parliament House in Canberra.
"We’re walking to Canberra calling on the prime minister to do something he already said he would do,“ Mr Lovett said.
“We’re not yelling, we’re not screaming, we’re walking in unity.”
Victorian Aboriginal News editor and journalist Charles Pakana spoke to the walkers when they reached Chittick Park.
Photo by
Billie Davern
Through media attention and yarning with those who join along the way, the Walk for Truth emphasises the work of the Yoorook Justice Commission, Victoria and Australia’s first formal truth-telling inquiry into the injustices faced by First Nations people as a result of colonisation.
The walk’s aim is to spark deeper conversations and call for change to the system.
From one destination to the next, Mr Lovett carries with him an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, which advocates for a national process of truth-telling.
“Truth-telling cannot remain scattered and fragile, held only in commissions, courtrooms, archives or the memories of those who remember,” Mr Lovett wrote.
“It must become national. It must be embedded in our laws, our institutions, our schools, our media and our public life, supported by a clear, resourced process that honours and builds on the work already done, not one that starts over or looks away.”
Human Rights Commissioner Ro Allan joined the walk with the University of Melbourne’s Kim Kurdell.
Photo by
Billie Davern
On Saturday, April 25, Mr Lovett and his team walked through Seymour, joining Taungurung Elders and people and inviting all to take part in a walk from Lions Park to Chittick Park.
Before the walk began, participants gathered to hear about Mr Lovett’s mission.
A minute’s silence was observed first, honouring all who have served for Australia, no matter the colour of their skin.
In his speech, Mr Lovett recognised not just the major conflicts Australian servicemen and women had faced, but also the country’s frontier wars.
Walkers started in Lions Park and strode through town towards Chittick Park.
Photo by
Billie Davern
“We know, through the work of the Yoorook Justice Commission, that there were 49 recorded massacres in Victoria,” he said.
“This is hard, but this is truth-telling. This is why we’re here to walk, this is why we’re here to talk.
“It’s not about naming and blaming, but we have to call it out and we have to learn. We have to understand and talk about it, and also move forward together.”
At the end of the 3km, during which walkers connected and moved in unity, they were greeted by Victorian Aboriginal News editor and journalist Charles Pakana, who spoke on the misinformation and disinformation surrounding the Victorian Treaty and the Voice referendum.
Travis Lovett’s message on kangaroo skin to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calls for truth-telling.
Mr Lovett, who will now embark on a walk towards Shepparton, said it was all about coming together and learning.
“We invite our mob and all mobs, not just Aboriginal people, to walk together, have yarns and learn,” he said.
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