Yoorook Justice Commission deputy chair Travis Lovett will stop by Footscray early next week in the final stages of his 25-day Walk for Truth across the state to mark the end of Victoria’s formal truth-telling process.
Mr Lovett began the 450km walk on May 25, setting out from Portland in the state’s south-west where colonisation first began in Victoria in 1834.
Since then Mr Lovett has travelled more than 250km and been joined by more than 2500 people in walking legs and community events in towns such as Warrnambool, Camperdown and Colac.
A further 6600 people have registered to walk or attend the remaining events in Geelong, Werribee, Footscray and Melbourne, where on June 18 the final walking leg from the Shrine of Remembrance to Parliament House will take place, followed by a public celebration in Federation Square.
“The body is sore but my heart is full,” said Mr Lovett of how was feeling after crossing the walk’s halfway point last week.
“I am overwhelmed by the kindness, generosity and interest of people from all walks of life in this journey, that has been 191 years in the making.
“Together we have walked to massacre sites and ancient meeting places, to former missions and sites of global significance, including shell middens and an ancient fireplace with the potential to re-write our understanding of human history.”
The conclusion of Mr Lovett’s walk will come just days before the conclusion of the four-year Yoorook Justice Commission on June 30, Australia’s first formal truth-telling process that he has been a key figure in.
Mr Lovett said both the truth-telling process and the Walk for Truth, were ultimately about uniting Victorians.
“The walk is about coming together to listen and learn about the past and move forward together, and that’s exactly what we are doing,” he said.
A Walk for Truth community event in Footscray on June 16 has already sold out, but spaces are still available for an event at Whitten Oval on the morning of June 17, as well as for the walking leg from Footscray to the Shrine of Remembrance that will follow it.
Walking legs and community events are free, but bookings are required.
To book, visit: https://yoorrookjusticecommission.org.au/events/walk-for-truth-footscray-leg/
