While our focus continues to be campaigning for Yes, we also take time in this newsletter to remember Sophie Trevitt, former national director of Change the Record, and a strong campaigner for raising the age of criminal responsibility.
Sophie died in July aged 32, from brain cancer. She inspired many in her short life. As set out in the tribute from Change the Record, ‘Sophie was a staunch ally and advocate in the fights for justice for First Nations People and throughout her career, dedicated herself to uplifting, supporting, amplifying and standing alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.’ This tribute from the Guardian tells more of her story: Sophie Trevitt’s indomitable spirit and deep commitment to equity will continue to shape the world she left behind | Australia news | The Guardian. Sophie will leave a lasting legacy in work that continues – we are hoping to see the legislation to raise the age of criminal responsibility in the ACT soon, one of many changes she was advocating for.
Yes23 updates and events
For the Yes23 campaign, ANTaR ACT members have been out at stalls and events around Canberra and beyond, engaging with lots of people. We’ve also been posting more events and updates on our ACT ANTaR Facebook page – please follow and share these to support the conversation for Yes23.
We’ve helped with stalls at Gunghalin, Googong, Jerrabomberra and Queanbeyan over the last few weeks. Photos here are of ANTaR ACT members Susan and Janet with other Yes23 volunteers at a stall at Gunghalin, and ANTaR ACT member Vivien, who is currently in Queensland and joined a Yes23 stall in Maleny.
The Yes23 team are looking for more volunteers for stalls in nearby NSW – Jerrabomberra this Saturday, 26th, from 10am-12noon, future weekends in Googong, Yass and Queanbeyan. If you can help, please call Leanne on 0407 991 854 and mention that you found out through ANTAR. To find out when future Eden-Monaro stalls are happening check out: Eden-Monaro for Yes (scroll down to calendar).
If you are part of a stall, please send us on photos or updates (at info@antaract.org.au), as all helps with building support.
Other updates of events around Canberra below – in particular, please come along for the Linked Hands for Yes event on Saturday 26 August. Also, in addition to our pop up stalls around the region, we’ll have a stall at the O’Connor Family Fun Day on Saturday 9 September – come and join us or say hello. Details of these and more below, and please contact us info@antaract.org.au at if any questions.
Event: Linked Hands for Yes, 1500 residents of North Woden intend to join hands along a 1.5km line. The line will start at an ancient Red Gum at the base of Red Hill, flow down Carruthers St and end at the Curtin shops, a hub of our present community.
Saturday 26 August from 11:55am – 2pm. For more information, see Yes23 – Linked Hands for Yes.
Event: Pat Farmer running into Canberra. On 28 August, Pat Farmer will run into Canberra and that evening Andrew Leigh is hosting an event with Pat to discuss his run and the Voice. Pat will be in conversation with Wulgurukaba woman and Indigenous Marathon Foundation graduate Joyrah Newman. The discussion will cover blisters, grit, reconciliation and more. To follow Pat’s run, see Run for the Voice.
Monday 28 August, 6pm, Kambri Cultural Centre, ANU, RSVP for discussion essential, bookings and details here.
Event: Meet the author – Melissa Castan and Lynette Russell in conversation with Kim Rubenstein on their new book, Time to Listen. An Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Is the tragedy of the national silence-a refusal to acknowledge Indigenous agency and cultural achievements-finally coming to an end? The Voice to Parliament can be a transformational legal and political institutional reform, but only if we really listen to Indigenous people, and they are clearly heard when they speak.
Wednesday 30 August, 6–7pm, free, registration required, Kambri Cultural Centre, ANU – more information and registration via ANU Events website.
Days of Action: Help with doorknocking around Canberra, joining with with experienced doorknockers in your electorate.
Saturday 2, Sunday 3 September – join up via your local group: Southern Canberra for Yes, Fenner (North Canberra) for Yes, Central Canberra for Yes.
Stall: O’Connor Family Fun Day, Yes23 stall, as well as free sausage sizzle, children’s activities including face painting, community cake and craft stalls, plus entertainment.
Saturday 9 September, 10am to 2pm, O’Connor Uniting Church, corner of Brigalow and Scrivener Streets.
Also: Watch out for a major event on Sunday 17 September – details to be released later!!
Would you like to help with the Yes campaign but you don’t know where to start? There are a variety of ways you can support and promote the Yes campaign.
- Volunteer to help in campaigning, at stalls, door knocking or through the phone bank to call people. The ACT for Yes Phonebanking Centre will open from Tuesday 5 September to make calls to people in the marginal states. You can also use your social media presence to share campaigns, events and resources. See more at: Yes23 Actions and Yes Volunteer.
- Attend an event and increase your understanding of the Voice to Parliament – see our list here, or check out Yes23 Events.
- Wear a t-shirt, display a sign, update your profile photo – available via the Yes23 Shop and Yes23 Resources.
- Donate to the campaign, through Yes23 Donations or the Uluru Dialogues at UNSW.
- Join the Yes23 Campaign to hand out How to Vote Cards at pre-polling centres for the 2 weeks leading up to the Referendum (likely to be the first two weeks of October). If you can help, please contact the Yes23 campaign in your local electorate: Southern Canberra for Yes, Fenner (North Canberra) for Yes or Central Canberra for Yes. It’s easy and quite fun!
Other updates and events
Events: Brenda Matthews and The Last Daughter: Join a special screening of the award-winning documentary The Last Daughter (2022, 87 mins, PG) and, on the next day, hear from Brenda Matthews about her story and the process of turning it into a documentary and a published book. Brenda’s first memories were of growing up in a loving white foster family, before she was suddenly taken away and returned to her Aboriginal family. Decades later, she feels disconnected from both halves of her life. The Last Daughter is a documentary about Brenda’s mission to unearth the truth about her past, and to reconcile the two sides of her family.
Screening: Thursday 24 August, 6-7.30pm, National Library Theatre, free, more information and bookings via NLA website.
Book event: Friday 25 August, 12-1.30pm, National Library Theatre, free, more information and bookings via NLA website.
Event: Canberra and South Coast Rhys Pearcey Memorial Women’s Team: Background article: Queanbeyan fundraiser to help find next Indigenous Matildas | About Regional. Join us for a night of fun, culture and entertainment to celebrate Indigenous Women in Football and raise funds for the Canberra and South Coast Rhys Pearcy Memorial Women’s Team.
Friday 1 September 6 – 9pm, Queanbeyan Hotel Top Pub. 59 Crawford Street, bookings via TryBooking.
Book launch: One Voice Medicine – Conversations with First People Healers Australia Valerie Albrecht, past ANTaR Member, is launching her book, ‘One Voice Medicine’ at the Australian Centre Christianity and Culture Blackall Street, Barton. She writes: “My hope is for us to overcome our divides in ways of looking and that One Voice Medicine opens us to speak and listen together across historical, cultural and health contexts and philosophies.” We will be by the fire outside, weather permitting – please bring a chair and dress accordingly. Afternoon tea and book sales/signing will follow the presentation.
Saturday 2 September, 2.30pm, free but please book for catering purposes: bookings via Eventbrite, queries via theoceansofenergy@gmail.com.
Event: Indigenous Literacy Day Book Swap: the Great Book Swap supports the Indigenous Literacy foundation (ILF) helping to raise funds for new books going to schools and service organisations in remote Indigenous communities. Please come along and support the ILF by bringing any pre-loved books to swap, buy a book or just make a donation. Dr Paul Collis will be hosting a special lunch time literary event 12.30 – 1.30 pm on level B,
Wednesday 6 September, 10.30am-3pm, University of Canberra Library. More information via UC website.
Event: Looking back, moving forward: The sky and stars – Australian Academy of Science lecture series
The sky and stars hold significant cultural and spiritual importance for Indigenous Australians. They have developed rich and intricate astronomical knowledge and stories that are deeply integrated into their cultural and spiritual practices. This fifth instalment of the series will explore how Indigenous knowledges of our sky and the stars are informing and inspiring.
Tuesday 10 October, 6-7pm, The Shine Dome Canberra (refreshments from 5.30) and online – more information and tickets via the Academy.
More information on the series, including records of past lectures, via the series page. The final lecture in the series will be on Tuesday 12 December.
Movie: Kaja-warnu-jangka / ‘From the bush’: This event brings stories from the remote Warlpiri communities of Australia’s Northern Territory to Canberra, offering insight into two Warlpiri elders’ life journeys, their continued resilience and their connection to Country. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the film’s producers.
Thursday 19 October, 5:30pm – 6.45pm, free, registration required, The Street 2: more information and registration via The Street website.
Theatre: The Visitors: On a sweltering day in January 1788, seven clan leaders gather on a sandstone escarpment overlooking the harbour. A mysterious fleet of giant nawi is amassing in the harbour and as they creep closer, these seven representatives must choose unanimously: whether to send these strangers on their way or welcome them? Muruwari playwright Jane Harrison’s The Visitors will be reworked for this brand new production directed by one of Australia’s most celebrated directors, Quandamooka man Wesley Enoch, co-produced by Sydney Theatre Company and Moogahlin Performing Arts.
Wednesday 8 – Saturday 11 November (multiple performances), The Playhouse: more information and bookings via Canberra Theatre Centre.
Finally
ANTaR ACT Committee: We welcome anyone to join us in organising activities and discussing current issues at our monthly online meeting, with the next on Monday 11 September at 6pm. Email us at info@antaract.org.au to find out how you can get involved or get a link for our monthly meeting.
Authorised for ANTaR ACT by Janet Hunt, Dickson, ACT.
ANTaR ACT wish to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which Canberra is situated, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We wish to acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region. We would also like to acknowledge other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who may visit this area.