Travis Lovett appointed Executive Director of Centre for Truth Telling and Dialogue

The University of Melbourne has appointed distinguished Aboriginal leader Travis Lovett as the inaugural Executive Director of the new Centre for Truth Telling and Dialogue.

The Centre is a flagship Truth-telling and Justice initiative, one of five priority areas in Murmuk Djerring the University’s Indigenous Strategy (2023–2027). The Centre will work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to strengthen the University’s role as an emerging leader in Indigenous-led truth-telling, justice, and reconciliation.

Mr Lovett is a proud Kerrupmara/Gunditjmara, Boandik man and brings exceptional leadership experience to the role. Most recently he was Deputy Chair and Commissioner of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, Australia’s only formal truth-telling process.

He also shaped Victoria’s Truth and Treaty process and Closing the Gap strategy and led the historic 2025 Walk for Truth from Gunditjmara Country to Parliament House.

This appointment represents a unique opportunity for both Mr Lovett and the University, united in their commitment to advancing truth-telling.

Mr Lovett said the University’s strong relationships with Victorian Traditional Owners, its active participation in the Yoorrook Justice Commission and its credibility in truth-telling locally, nationally and internationally provide a strong foundation for the Centre.

The new role builds on his life’s work of elevating First Peoples’ voices, rights and creating lasting structural change, he said.

"I step into this role with a clear mandate: to ensure that First Peoples’ voices are not just heard, but centred, respected, and structurally embedded in how we teach, govern, and lead." Mr Lovett said.

“The University of Melbourne has laid the groundwork with courage and conviction. My role now is to build on that legacy, not just to continue the work, but to amplify it, accelerate it, and expand it into spaces we’ve yet to imagine both nationally and internationally.”

Mr Lovett will lead the establishment of the Centre, working closely with Indigenous communities, government, and University partners to create spaces for safe and meaningful truth-telling.

“This is shared work, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people walking together, side by side, with truth at the centre. That’s what we forged through the Walk for Truth, and that’s the spirit we’ll carry forward here. United and committed to lasting reform and systemic change.” he said.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous) Professor Barry Judd said Mr Lovett’s appointment marked a significant step in delivering on the University’s Indigenous Strategy.

“Travis brings unparalleled experience in truth-telling and systemic reform, and a deep commitment to cultural safety and self-determination,” Professor Judd said. “His leadership will ensure the Centre becomes a catalyst for national and international dialogue.”

The Centre will open in 2026, with early priorities focusing on building partnerships, community engagement, and developing research and education programs that confront historical and ongoing injustices.