Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts

About Vanessa

Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts is a proud Bundjalung Widubul-Wiabul Woman, lawyer, Human
Rights advocate, author, writer and has acquired a Law and Social work degree whilst
completing her First-class honour thesis at the University of New South Wales. Vanessa is also
a recipient of the Australian Human Rights Medal, awarded by the Australian Human Rights
Commissioner, in 2019 where her acceptance speech gained global recognition and response.

She has also been named as one of 10 Changemakers standing and showing up for a better
future by Women’s Agenda and selected in the Power Generation: emerging Indigenous
leaders on overcoming adversity.

Re-imagining a better world is not impossible, as a survivor, Vanessa highlights the importance
of duty and that once we are free, we are not silent. We must continue to understand that with
our unique lived experiences, we can change the world. Vanessa believes through her own
lived experiences; we can re-imagine a better world together. To be open to listening, to
learning is to be open to love and justice.

We must liberate our families, communities, business and organisations. Being silent is a choice, choosing to show up is power to each other. It’s the greatest choice we can make.

Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts is a Bundjalung Widubul-Wiabul Woman, Lawyer, Human Rights
advocate, speaker and writer. Vanessa is a survivor of Out of Home Care who was forcibly
removed at the age of 10.5 from her family. Understanding the history, the pain and the truth,
Vanessa uses her experience and truth to share with people the importance of human rights,
children’s rights and creating a better world.

Vanessa was removed by the department and uses her survival experiences and truth to navigate change. Vanessa’s critical thinking, speaking, and consultancy allows for a new perspective of inspiration and action. Vanessa’s motivation to studying law and social work was driven by the disproportionate impact of the law in her very own community growing up. Vanessa has witnessed and experienced, pain, harm and the implications of trauma, however whilst facing all of this, she has witnesses and liberated into
the power of generational strength and healing.