Indigenous leaders have set off on a 370-kilometre journey, joined by hundreds of supporters to raise awareness of Australia’s first formal truth-telling process.
Kerrupmara Gunditjmara man Travis Lovett begun a 25-day walk from Portland in Victoria's southwest to Melbourne, to highlight the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s coming report on injustices against First Nations people since colonisation.
A ceremonial event and smoking ceremony were held on Sunday a short distance from where Edward Henty landed in 1834, establishing the first permanent European settlement in the state.
Lovett, who is deputy chair of the commission, described the journey as a "historic moment" for Victoria’s truth-telling journey.
The commission has been working for the past four years, detailing the official record of the impact of historical and ongoing injustices endured by First Peoples in Victoria.
Thousands of people are expected to join sections of the walk over the coming month as it moves through cultural and historical sites across Victoria including Port Fairy, Warrnambool, Colac and Footscray.
Mr Lovett, who has strong family ties to the region, is expected to be the only walker for the entire route.
He hoped the walk would bring Victorians together to listen, learn and move forward in unity.
"Since colonisation it has been an important way to advocate for change," Lovett said.
"Today we begin another important and historic walk - to bring Victorians together to listen, learn and move forward united."
