Truth, Voice, and Justice: Reflections from Yoorrook

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Elizabeth Balderstone is the current owner of a property in Gippsland on which the ‘Warrigal Creek’ massacre occurred in 1843.

"Carried out by a group of settlers as a reprisal after a Brataualung warrior killed the nephew of a prominent squatter in the area, that killing  itself a reprisal for the killing of Aboriginal people by colonists

Elizabeth Balderstone is the current owner of a property in Gippsland on which the ‘Warrigal Creek’ massacre occurred in 1843.

"Carried out by a group of settlers as a reprisal after a Brataualung warrior killed the nephew of a prominent squatter in the area, that killing  itself a reprisal for the killing of Aboriginal people by colonists at the nearby Port Albert settlement. It has been estimated that roughly 150 Brataualung people were killed in the massacres.

Ms Balderstone has been part of a community push in Gippsland to better educate the community on the violent past of colonisation." ABC News online

Peter Sharp is a great grandson of former Prime Minister Alfred Deakin, who has researched Deakin’s involvement in the passage of the Aborigines Protection Act 1886, more commonly known as the ‘Half Caste’ Act.

Peter’s evidence is that Deakin believed he had a Divine Destiny to create a nation for Whites only. His calculated passing of the

Peter Sharp is a great grandson of former Prime Minister Alfred Deakin, who has researched Deakin’s involvement in the passage of the Aborigines Protection Act 1886, more commonly known as the ‘Half Caste’ Act.

Peter’s evidence is that Deakin believed he had a Divine Destiny to create a nation for Whites only. His calculated passing of the so-called “Half-caste Act”, as Chief Secretary of Victoria in 1886, began the Stolen Generations and was the first step in the attempted elimination of the First Peoples of this continent. 

Kevin Moore, Gurindji, is the Vice Chancellors Indigenous Pre-Doctoral in the School of

Management at RMIT. Kevin finished his PhD titled ‘The Victorian Treaty, Voices and Identity’ in July 2025. Kevin is the Indigenous Collect

Coordinator at Monash Matheson Library. Previously Kevin worked as the Community

Business Manager in the Ngarara Wi

Kevin Moore, Gurindji, is the Vice Chancellors Indigenous Pre-Doctoral in the School of

Management at RMIT. Kevin finished his PhD titled ‘The Victorian Treaty, Voices and Identity’ in July 2025. Kevin is the Indigenous Collect

Coordinator at Monash Matheson Library. Previously Kevin worked as the Community

Business Manager in the Ngarara Willim Centre of RMIT University dedicated support

service for First Peoples in Australia. Graduated in 2011, Bachelor of Arts Kyinandoo at

Victorian University. Publication Yoorrook: Truth Telling in the Victorian Treaty Process.

  Maree Edwards has been a Member of the Victorian Parliament since November 2010 and was re-elected in 2014, 2018 and 2022.

Maree was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in August 2022 and re- elected speaker December 2022 following the Victorian State election. Maree was Chair of the joint Parliamentary Family and Community Devel

  Maree Edwards has been a Member of the Victorian Parliament since November 2010 and was re-elected in 2014, 2018 and 2022.

Maree was elected Speaker of the Legislative Assembly in August 2022 and re- elected speaker December 2022 following the Victorian State election. Maree was Chair of the joint Parliamentary Family and Community Development Committee in the 58th Parliament overseeing inquiries into: Abuse in Disability Services in Victoria; Autism services in Victoria; Peri-natal services in Victoria

Other positions Maree has held include Deputy Speaker (2017-2022), Board Member of the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, Chair of the Bendigo Metro Rail Taskforce, Chair of the Bendigo Tech school project committee, Chair of the Virginia Hill Estate Revitalisation Project Consultative Committee, and a committee member of the Taskforce on Rehoming Pets (TORP).

Maree grew up in Maryborough and attended both primary and secondary education in her hometown. She has a BAHons from LaTrobe University. Mother of four and stepmother of two, and a proud grandmother of twelve with number thirteen on the way.