Originally published by Melbourne Catholic, 21 April 2026
Hundreds gathered on Sunday 19 April on the steps of Victoria’s Parliament House to embark on the National Walk for Truth, led by Gunditjmara man and former Yoorrook Justice Commissioner Travis Lovett.
Several speeches set the tone for the 800-kilometre journey of reconciliation and justice to Canberra. Wurundjeri man Thane Garvey offered a Welcome to Country, followed by Uncle Bill Nicholson, who emphasised the emotional and often painful nature of listening to difficult truths, encouraging all to learn and not shy away from uncomfortable realities. Wurundjeri women’s dance group Djirri Djirri performed, before Mr Lovett delivered an address that resonated deeply with those present.
‘We walk together toward transforming the future. We walk for truth. We walk for justice. We walk for healing. And as we walk forward, side by side, we do so with the shared responsibility to listen, to learn and to ensure that truth leads the way towards justice and healing for generations to come,’ he said.
Prime Minister, we are walking to Canberra. And we invite you to meet us on this path.
‘Traditional Owners across this journey are ready; communities across the country are ready to share their truth, ready to continue what they have always done: care for country and speak for the people. And now we stand here showing that we are ready to listen with open hearts, ready to walk with humility and respect and ready to carry these truths forward to Canberra together.’
The commitment of the walk, Mr Lovett said, was also a promise to talk and to keep talking to the country’s leaders. ‘[It’s] a promise that truth will not be pushed aside, a promise that this country can be better than its past if it chooses it. Today, we extend that promise outward,’ he declared.
‘Prime Minister, we are walking to Canberra. And we invite you to meet us on this path, not at the end, not behind closed doors, but here on country, with the people who are carrying this truth forward. We are calling on you to establish a national truth-telling process.’
Mr Lovett explained that while progress towards truth has begun in Victoria, through the Yoorrook Justice Commission, this walk aims to bring that momentum to the national stage.
As participants left Parliament House to follow Mr Lovett, they were invited to partake in a smoke ceremony. The route continued through significant Melbourne landmarks, including Parliament Gardens and past the statues of prominent Aboriginal Christian leaders and human rights activists Sir Doug Nicholls and Lady Gladys Nicholls.
At this stop, Catholic academic and social activist Val Noone reminisced privately with fellow walkers about a time when he accompanied Mother Teresa to a meeting with Pastor Doug Nicholls, noting Sir Doug’s ability to effortlessly connect people by identifying commonalities and by fostering a warm environment. This interaction ultimately led Mother Teresa’s order to work with remote Indigenous communities.
The walk proceeded to St Patrick’s Cathedral and then to the Stolen Generations Marker in Atherton Gardens. Here, Aunty Rieo Ellis led a truth-telling session, speaking about the Stolen Generations and the ongoing efforts of Aboriginal people in Victoria, particularly the work of Grandmothers Against Removal, to protect children from being taken from their families. The first leg of the walk concluded at Dights Falls, after traversing the streets of Fitzroy, Collingwood and Abbotsford.
We encourage the Catholic community to join the National Walk for Truth to demonstrate support for a national truth-telling process.
Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV) has expressed strong support for the National Walk for Truth. Executive director Joshua Lourensz said that off the back of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, ‘a national truth-telling process could further this work and draw the country together into a profound spirit of reconciliation and healing.’
‘Many Australians learnt about Australian history during our school years, often focused on events such as the arrival of Captain Cook, Federation and the sacrifice of the ANZACs. But in these lessons, there was too often silence on the people who had already been living in Australia for thousands of years, and their experiences of the arrival of British and European settlers.’
While this is beginning to change, he said, there is still a gap in listening and national knowledge. ‘We encourage the Catholic community to join the National Walk for Truth to demonstrate support for a national truth-telling process, in solidarity for a healed and reconciled country.’
This year’s walk builds on previous efforts: last year, CSSV supported Travis Lovett’s ‘first leg’ of the Walk for Truth from Portland to Melbourne. This year’s National Walk for Truth is scheduled to end in Canberra during National Reconciliation Week in May.