Walking Alongside Truth: A Small Step in a 400km Journey
Out of the 400 kilometres Deputy Commissioner Travis Lovett was walking as part of his journey for truth, just three kilometres was enough for Department of Nursing lecturers Laura Layton and Emily Oliver to appreciate his deep commitment to reaching out to all Victorians.
Joining the walk for its final Warrnambool-Colac section, Laura and Emily provided first aid and nursing support to the walkers. This offered a unique opportunity to speak with Travis Lovett (or ‘Trav,’ as he insists), who shared insights into how he and his community approach this process differently. His journey, from Portland to Parliament, is a remarkable act of endurance and a powerful symbol of the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s dedication to listening to First Nations communities across the state.
Unlike previous Royal Commissions, which often required communities to navigate metropolitan-based systems and processes regardless of their location or ability to travel, Yoorrook has prioritised accessibility and inclusion. Deputy Commissioner Lovett and the Commission have made a concerted effort to meet people where they are — geographically, socially, and economically — ensuring that every voice has the opportunity to contribute to Victoria’s truth-telling process. This commitment to inclusivity is reflected in the 400km walk itself: a Victorian journey, not just a Melbourne one.
Of particular relevance to the Department of Nursing are the testimonies shared with the Commission regarding the treatment of First Nations people within Victoria's health care system. These accounts have illuminated both the historical and ongoing experiences of racism in health care, as well as the urgent need for systemic change. As nurses and educators, this serves as a timely reminder of the responsibility we hold — to listen, to learn, and to lead meaningful change within our profession.
Over the past four years, Yoorrook — Victoria’s first formal truth-telling process — has heard powerful, and often painful, truths from people across the state, documenting the enduring impacts of colonisation. The work of the Commission, and the efforts of leaders like Deputy Commissioner Lovett, continue to lay the groundwork for a more just and equitable future for the world’s oldest living culture.
Written by:
Laura Layton
RNRM/BNurs/BMid/GradCert(Intensive Care)/GDipEdu/MAdvNur
Course Coordinator – Graduate Certificate of Critical Care Nursing (Integrated)
Emily Oliver
BSc (Human Physiology), MNsc, GCert Critical Care (Emergency), GCert Addictive Behaviours
Associate Lecturer