Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts, a Bundjalung Widubul-Wiabul woman, was appointed in February 2024 as the Australian Capital Territory’s (ACT) inaugural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People Commissioner.

In October 2024, Vanessa Turnbull-Robert’s memoir, “Long Yarn Short” was published.

Vanessa Turnbull-Robers was removed from her family and taken into the foster care system when she was 10 years old. She went through a number of ‘placements’ before she was settled until the one home where she stayed until she was 18.

In her memoir, Vanessa Turnbull-Roberts questions why the money that is spent on what she calls the “family policing” system doesn’t go to supporting those families and communities that are struggling.