Travis Lovett, Executive Director of the University of Melbourne’s Centre of Truth Telling and Dialogue delivered the 2026 David Hunter Memorial Lecture: Truth and the Nation We All Share, at the Baptist Church, Canberra on 22 October 2026. The lecture was broadcast nationally on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/y_Dms-Cl-2s

Travis Lovett was Deputy Chair and Commissioner of the Yoorrook Justice Commission (YJC) which is the first formal truth-telling process into historical ongoing injustices First Peoples in Victoria have experienced. The YJC ran for four years from 12 May 2021 to 1 July 2025. You can access the Commission’s website here: https://www.yoorrook.org.au

Travis Lovett is a proud Kerrupmara/Gunditjmara man and Traditional Owner. He has spent his life advocating for truth and justice for First Peoples. He is passionate about practicing his Culture, working with Community and preserving Aboriginal languages. Travis has held senior leadership roles in the Victorian Public Service, including as Executive Director and Acting Deputy Secretary, First Peoples State Relations, at the Department of Premier and Cabinet. He played a key role in supporting Victoria to progress and implement Treaty and Truth telling. Travis has also worked extensively supporting the rights of Traditional Owners across Victoria and in the protection of cultural heritage.

Prior to working for the Victorian Public Service, Travis also held senior roles with Aboriginal Victoria, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Court Services Victoria, and the Department of Justice. He played a an important role in the establishment and reform of the Magistrates’ and Children’s Koori Courts across the State of Victoria as the Manager of the Koori Courts.

In 2017, the Institute of Public Administration of Australia awarded Travis the Young Indigenous Leader Scholarship.

In 2026, Travis Lovett led the national Walk for Truth, a 905km journey from Naarm (Melbourne) to the nation’s capital Kamberri (Canberra), beginning on Sunday 19 April, concluding at Parliament House on 27 May 2026. More about the journey is available here: https://www.walkfortruth.com

Travis Lovett with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, (to his left)  at the conclusion of the National Walk for Truth in Canberra, 27 May 2026. Image Scarlett Barnett

The 2026 David Hunter Memorial lecture is a very important step forward in First Nations’ moves to bring Australians and the world, the truth of Australia’s history from the perspectives of First Peoples and others who gave evidence to the Yoorrook Justice Commission in Victoria. Read the reports and key findings of the Commission here:
https://www.yoorrook.org.au/reports-and-recommendations/key-findings