Yoorrook Justice Commission extends deadline truth-telling submissions to November 30

Dechlan Brennan
Dechlan Brennan Published November 25, 2024 at 4.30pm (AWST)

The Yoorrook Justice Commission has extended their deadline for online submissions until November 30.

The historic truth-telling hearings, the first of their kind in the country's history, have set about recording the "true" history of Victoria since the beginning of colonisation.

They have been urging people in Victoria to make submissions, calling on all of those who haven't made a submission yet - both Indigenous and non-Indigenous - to do so.

Commissioner Travis Lovett, a Kerrupmara/Gunditjmara man, said Yoorrook has heard the calls of people who have asked for more time "to share truth".

"We've heard loud and clear from all Victorians that there's a collective power in truth and truth telling and truth sharing," Mr Lovett said.

It's for this reason, he said, "we've made the decision to extend the submissions process. until the 30th of November".

"It is essential that if you have truth to share, we want to hear from you.

"Come forward, share your truth, make a submission. Every voice counts."

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Speaking to National Indigenous Times last month, Commissioners Lovett and Sue-Anne Hunter said once people understood and heard the truth, they couldn't "shy away from it".

Commissioner Hunter, a Wurundjeri and Ngurai Illum Wurrung woman, said the submissions would become a permanent and important part of history, while offering a healing aspect for some people in sharing their own history.

"The oppressor always gets to write history, or the people in power. And now it's our turn," she said, arguing it was a chance for "our voices" and "our stories" to be told on the public record forever.

"Whether it's our strengths or the systemic injustices that has happened to us, either way, it's on the public record.

"It's also there for your families to know your history; for others to know your history."

The truth-telling hearings have seen multiple ministers, including the Victorian Premier, as well as department heads, front the inquiry.

It has also seen several descendants of colonisers give evidence about their experiences.

Commissioner Lovett previously said the hearings had highlighted the strength and resistance of Aboriginal people's contribution to Victoria.

"The contributions that our people have made to the state of Victoria are significant. And that's not even talking about the economic prosperity that we bring to the state of Victoria…just from a human contribution to society."

Both Commissioners said the submissions didn't need to be arduous, or a written essay. Anything, from a video, to sound recording, to even drawings, can be submitted.

"We've had a poem on a napkin given to us" Commissioner Hunter said.

Commissioner Lovett added: "The importance of the official public record around having our narrative built into what really happened to our people. Land was illegally taken. That's not our Aboriginal truth. That's an actual fact."

There is also free legal and mental assistance available for Indigenous people who require help to tell their story.

Submissions for Yoorrook close on November 30, and can be submitted online.

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National Indigenous Times

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