Hundreds take part in VU's Long Little Walk

A bracing start to winter didn’t discourage a big crowd determined to take part in Victoria University’s Little Long Walk, held during National Reconciliation Week in partnership with The Long Walk foundation.

Before setting off, students, staff and partners from Western Health, Greater Western Water, Western Chances, Western Bulldogs community Foundation, Melbourne Airport, Community Plus, Maribyrnong CC, Futurity Investment, Footscray Community Arts, Orygen/Headspace, Mercy Health and the broader community came together to hear Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin AO deliver a moving Welcome to Country. Her son, Craig, then invited participants to take part in a traditional Smoking Ceremony.

Aunty Joy shared personal reflections on her life and memories of her late father, and thanked ‘KJ’ Karen Jackson, Director of Moondani Balluk, VU’s Indigenous Academic Unit, and Vice-Chancellor Adam Shoemaker for their ongoing support. She told the crowd: “The Long Walk is about coming together and taking issues to Parliament that still need to be addressed. If we have to go all the way up there and keep knocking on the door, then hopefully we will have a safer, more equitable life for each and every one of us.”

As the group made their way around Footscray’s historic botanic gardens, many reflected the significance of walking together in solidarity, recognising the past, acknowledging ongoing challenges, and reaffirming a shared commitment to reconciliation.

Yorta Yorta woman KJ said the walk recognises the importance of why racism needs to be addressed in this country. “VU is proud of its record in engaging with First Nations views and its opinions and what’s important to First Nations Peoples is that the University steps up.”

Wiradjuri Nari Nari man Chris Delamont, Manager Cultural Safety and Best Experience Training, Western Health said the walk had been important to his people for a very long time. “To come together, both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal people and see the support we have today is something VU has driven. I think this is why we see VU as a place to study for our people. It’s why we (Western Health) have an amazing partnership.”  

The Little Long Walk builds on the legacy of the original 2004 Long Walk led by former AFL player Michael Long OAM, raising awareness of Indigenous rights, reconciliation, respect and unity. The event aligns closely with VU’s commitment to protecting Country and advancing equity and inclusion.

In April, Travis Lovett, a proud Kerrupmara/Gunditjmara man and Deputy Chair and Commissioner of the Yoorook Justice Commission, set off from Naarm. Thirty-nine days later, he arrived at Parliament House in Canberra to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, calling for a truth-telling process to be established in genuine partnership with First Peoples.

VU’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Adam Shoemaker said on the day “Womenjeka is coming with purpose, but moving with purpose is even something even broader and deeper and that’s why we’re doing it together and what the day is all about.”