“As a nation built on stories, we too often leave out the violence, dispossession and survival that followed colonisation. But a country that turns away from the truth of its own beginnings cannot be at peace with itself.”
These were the words spoken by Travis Lovett last June. A proud Kerrupmara, Gunditjmara and Boandik man, Lovett spoke to the 5,000 supporters gathered at Victoria’s Parliament House after his epic 508km walk from Portland to the steps of our state government.
The Yoorrook Justice Commissioner stated that, “The silence ends here, the time of not knowing, of choosing not to know, is over”, whilst handing over message sticks to the Premier, Jacinta Allan and other members of Parliament. The traditional Aboriginal message sticks had been signed by some of the 22,000 people who had come out to greet Lovett and his party of supporters along the way. Treaty followed soon afterwards, between Victoria’s first peoples and the state.
This Treaty is the first and currently only treaty between our Aboriginal Peoples in all of the Australian States and territories.
Next month Travis Lovett begins a longer walk, the National Walk for Truth is beginning in Naarm on 19 April and arriving in Canberra on 27 May 2026. The event aims at bringing about a broader understanding that the entire nation should undergo a truth-telling process.
My dear departed father always said to me, “Son, if you want to know someone, walk a mile in their shoes, eat a pound of salt in their company”. Ok, maybe the salt isn’t in keeping with modern dietary recommendations but I can definitely see the benefits of walking a mile with somebody, particularly Travis Lovett, in the quest for understanding and truth.
This walk from Naarm to Canberra is an Odessey of 40 days, an opportunity to walk the country as our first Australians walked for millennia, stopping at sites of significance, particularly massacre sites.
“We listen to local Traditional Owners, who share those lived experiences. They are not stories: they are lived experiences of our people. But not just the traumas. We actually talk about the strength, the resistance and the contributions that our people have made… We are also walking and talking alongside Traditional Owners, elevating their lived experiences, and that’s really important, because every day Australians don’t know,” says Travis.
Last year on the steps of our state parliament, I was proud to shake the hand of Travis Lovett. His walk of truth inspired me, energised me and forced me to listen, to break the silence on the mistreatment of our first people and to attempt to be an effective advocate for Aboriginal justice. This year I look forward to walking from Parliament to Preston – a mile in the shoes of this great man, to be part of history, maybe even eat a little salt in his company, on a meat pie or sausage roll. Why don’t you join us?
References:
“Long walk for truth and Victoria’s plan for treaty” article by the ABC on Wed 18 Jun 2025: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-18/long-walk-for-truth-and-victoria-s-plan-for-treaty/105427710
Route of Travis’ walk, detailing the legs of his Odyssey: https://www.walkfortruth.com/
Quote from Travis Lovett: https://www.sydneycriminallawyers.com.au/blog/join-the-national-walk-for-truth-travis-lovett-on-the-need-for-a-national-truth-telling-process/