Students Walk for Truth at Darebin Schools Yarning Conference

Published on 11 November 2025

More than 470 Darebin year five students and teachers from twenty Darebin primary schools participated in the eighth Darebin Schools’ NAIDOC Yarning Conference at Bundoora Park Farm on Tuesday 21 October.

The Yarning Conference is an opportunity for primary school students to learn about Aboriginal histories, cultures and truth-telling.

Before attending the Yarning Conference event, students and their teachers take part in pre-conference learning activities developed by Council in collaboration with cultural educators and schools. It is a powerful and joyful journey of learning for all.

As a key part of the pre-conference learning, students created posters featuring art, poetry and strong statements expressing what they had learnt.

At the Yarning Conference event, students participated in cultural workshops from Caring for Country, dance, art-making including weaving, music, Traditional Games and more, Aboriginal Elders, community leaders and artists engaged with students in a celebration of the oldest living culture in the world.

This year Travis Lovett, former Deputy Commissioner of the Yoorrook Justice Commission talked about leading the Walk for Truth from Portland to Parliament.  

Students from Reservoir East PS and Thornbury PS, also shared their own experiences of being part of the Walk for Truth.

“It was very special to meet Uncle Travis, even from a distance. It didn’t matter that we didn’t know anyone in the sea of people. We felt connected, like one big community. We were all walking with purpose. It was something powerful. Uncle Travis’s words made us think: If kids like us grow up knowing the truth, maybe we can make things better," the Reservoir students said.

“Being on the Walk for Truth felt like we were a part of history. There have been many groups protesting for justice, truth and treaty for First Nations peoples over the years, but this felt different. It felt like this time, Parliament and the Government were going to finally hear the elders and do the right thing.”

The student from Thornbury Primary shared their experience of walking alongside Travis Lovett for the last two days of the Walk for Truth.

“We stopped at different places to learn why they are important to Aboriginal people. And listened to stories like about Uncle William Cooper and Uncle Simon Wonga. I felt sad hearing some of the stories because some were unfair and horrible. But these stories are the truth of this country," the Thornbury student said.

“The next day I went back with my school to do the final part of the Walk for Truth from Camp Sovereignty to Parliament House. You knew listening to the talks outside Parliament House that it was a historic day. I felt really glad to be there supporting the journey from truth-telling to treaty, but I know there is still so much more to do and learn.”

A Message Stick ceremony took place with Uncle Bill Nicholson presenting message sticks to each of the participating schools as a symbol of their continued learning and commitment to truth-telling.

Travis Lovett shared his hope that the students would share what they’d learned at the conference.

“Tell them about the Darebin Yarning Conference. Tell them what you learned. Tell them what you still practise. Show them, through your words and your actions, how to create a school that is safer, kinder, and more respectful for everyone.”

We invite you to Visit Darebin Libraries from November 2025 to February 2026, to see the posters and celebrate the students’ inspiring work. 

Learn about the histories and cultures of First Nations communities in Darebin at Darebin.vic.gov.au/aboriginal-darebin

See some beautiful photos from the day.