12th September 2025
News, Articles and Events from the University of Divinity community
To begin its public hearings, Yoorrook returned to Portland on Gunditjmara Country where colonisation began in this state. It was there, in 1834, that the first permanent European settlement was illegally established in Victoria. What followed was massacres, disease, sexual violence, child removal, cultural erasure and linguicide — which amounted to the near destruction of First Peoples across the state… Yoorrook for Transformation sets out some recommendations to be advanced through the treaty process and others through urgent actions and reforms that should begin now. These recommendations take the voices, lived experience and evidence of First Peoples into the places where decisions are made and where change must happen.
Professor Eleanor A Bourke AM Chairperson,
Introduction, Yoorrook for Transformation: Summary Report
This is a pivotal moment in history to respond, not react, to the remarkable report and recommendations that are being offered to us. The online panel, hosted by Naomi Wolfe, will bring together people of different faith traditions and practice, Aboriginal people and allies, to engage with us in broad and diverse reflections on the status quo and ways forward as individuals and as collectives within our congregations, communities, and faith traditions.
We strongly encourage all who wish to attend to read the Yoorrook for Transformation- Summary Report beforehand (Recommendations 62-69 relate to Universities, and Recommendation 19 relates to Churches). We hope that reflections and discussion might foster some proactive and generative thinking and action so we can be agents for change on these fronts.
We expect this webinar to be of particular interest to anyone who attends or holds any leadership role for a place of worship or other faith-based organisation. Also, the academic and support staff, students and alumni of any institution of theological learning.
Naomi Wolfe is a trawloolway woman with Jewish German and Irish heritage. She is a lecturer in history at Australian Catholic University. Naomi has worked as Director of Academic Programs/Principal, NAIITS College – the first Indigenous postgraduate theological College in Australia, and at the University of Divinity as Indigenous Theologies Project Officer and more recently First Peoples Coordinator. She is currently a University of Divinity Scholar. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Teaching from Australian Catholic University, and a Graduate Certificate in Divinity, and Graduate Diploma in Divinity from the University of Divinity. She also recently graduated with a Master of Theological Studies (NAIITS, Tyndale Seminary) and is preparing to commence a PhD. Naomi has a commitment and interest in decolonising the disciplines of theology and history, and working with people to transform church and society to better times.
7-8.30pm AEDT, Thursday 16 October 2025
Start time for interstate participants: 7:00pm Melbourne/Sydney | 6:30pm Adelaide | 6:00pm Brisbane | 5:30pm Darwin | 4:00pm Perth
Online webinar, held via zoom.
Registrations are essential as places are limited.
Register