Reminder – Walk for Yes- Sept 2023

23 July 2023 Leave a comment

We’ve been busy campaigning in our local communities. This newsletter includes updates on the campaign, as well as other interesting resources and events.

Yes23 events around Canberra

The date to vote for the referendum has not been set but there are increasing opportunities to learn more about the Voice to Parliament.

NAIDOC in the North
Thank you to the Belconnen Arts Centre and Yerrabi Yurwang Child and Family Aboriginal Corporation for organising the event held on Saturday 8 July. We spoke to the community about the Voice to Parliament and recognition of First Nations peoples in the constitution. People were aware of the referendum, with questions about the proposal or how to help support the campaign. We had great success selling books, including Voice to Parliament by Thomas Mayo and Kerry O’Brien. We sold many Yes23 Campaign t-shirts, which can also be found in the Yes23 shop.

Cooleman Court
ANTaR members and Yes23 volunteers were at Cooleman Court in Weston on Saturday 22 July speaking with the local residents.

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.

  • Groups can apply for grants (from $1,000 to $15,000) for community led activities: Yes23 Grants.
  • You can donate to the campaign, through Yes23 Donations or the Uluru Dialogues at UNSW.
  • You can become a volunteer to help in campaigning, at stalls, door knocking or through the phone bank to call people. You can also use your social media presence to share campaigns, events and resources. See more at: Yes23 Actions.
  • You can attend an event and increase your understanding of the Voice to Parliament – see our list here, or check out Yes23 Events.

Event: ANU The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice: A dialogue
A special event designed for students and people interested in learning more about the upcoming Voice Referendum (open to the public). The panel will include Senator Jana Stewart, Labor Senator for Victoria; Senator Andrew Bragg, Liberal Senator for NSW; Dean Parkin – Director, From the Heart; Sally Scales – Partnership Manager, Uluru Statement from the Heart; Professor Megan Davis, Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous UNSW and Co-Chair Uluru Statement from the Heart. At Llewellyn Hall, ANU, Wednesday 2 August, 5pm – tickets via Eventbrite.

Events: University of Canberra – The Voice to Parliament Lecture Series

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.

Resources: Factchecking the Yes and No pamphlets
The Australian Electoral Commission has published the Yes and No pamphlets as provided – Yes/No case pamphlet – Australian Electoral Commission (aec.gov.au). Media fact checkers have reviewed these, and you can see their assessments below. These links and more are available on the Learning about the Voice page on our website.

Other resources and events of interest

Resource: Behind the scenes: How Ngunnawal language is being brought back to life – The RiotACT article published 10 July. The Ngunnawal language will have its own dictionary and could be taught in Canberran schools. 

Event: “Walanbaa Yulu-gi” Burn the Floor featuring Mitch Tambo, world renowned Australian ballroom dance company Burn the Floor collaborates with Indigenous star Mitch Tambo to create a brand-new dance production at the Canberra Theatre, Wednesday 9 August 7:30pm – tickets via Canberra Theatre Centre.

Event: Looking back, moving forward: Caring for land and Country – Australian Academy of Science lecture series
Hear from our speakers Ms Shandell Cummings and Dr Fiona Walsh about how they are both working to integrate Traditional knowledges with non-Indigenous science to care for land and Country. Tuesday 8 August, 6-7pm, The Shine Dome Canberra (refreshments from 5.30) and online  – more information and tickets via the Academy.

Event: Tasting Australia with Adam Shipp – Kennedy Garden tours and tea
Join a seasonal walk through the National Museum’s Christina and Trevor Kennedy Garden, a living museum of First Nations food and medicine plants from across Australia. Enjoy the sights and scents of the season as Adam Shipp (Wiradjuri) of Yurbay Consultancies shares his passion for native plants. Each tour finishes with the opportunity to sample some of the flavours found in the Kennedy Garden and around the Canberra region. Friday 11 and Saturday 12 August (also dates in November and 2024) – more information and tickets via the National Museum.

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 14 August at 6pm. Email us at 

Yes23 events around Canberra

The date to vote for the referendum has not been set but there are increasing opportunities to learn more about the Voice to Parliament.

NAIDOC in the North
Thank you to the Belconnen Arts Centre and Yerrabi Yurwang Child and Family Aboriginal Corporation for organising the event held on Saturday 8 July. We spoke to the community about the Voice to Parliament and recognition of First Nations peoples in the constitution. People were aware of the referendum, with questions about the proposal or how to help support the campaign. We had great success selling books, including Voice to Parliament by Thomas Mayo and Kerry O’Brien. We sold many Yes23 Campaign t-shirts, which can also be found in the Yes23 shop.

Books and leaflets on ANTaR ACT stall.

Cooleman Court
ANTaR members and Yes23 volunteers were at Cooleman Court in Weston on Saturday 22 July speaking with the local residents.

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.

  • Groups can apply for grants (from $1,000 to $15,000) for community led activities: Yes23 Grants.
  • You can donate to the campaign, through Yes23 Donations or the Uluru Dialogues at UNSW.
  • You can become a volunteer to help in campaigning, at stalls, door knocking or through the phone bank to call people. You can also use your social media presence to share campaigns, events and resources. See more at: Yes23 Actions.
  • You can attend an event and increase your understanding of the Voice to Parliament – see our list here, or check out Yes23 Events.

Event: ANU The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice: A dialogue
A special event designed for students and people interested in learning more about the upcoming Voice Referendum (open to the public). The panel will include Senator Jana Stewart, Labor Senator for Victoria; Senator Andrew Bragg, Liberal Senator for NSW; Dean Parkin – Director, From the Heart; Sally Scales – Partnership Manager, Uluru Statement from the Heart; Professor Megan Davis, Pro Vice-Chancellor Indigenous UNSW and Co-Chair Uluru Statement from the Heart. At Llewellyn Hall, ANU, Wednesday 2 August, 5pm – tickets via Eventbrite.

Events: University of Canberra – The Voice to Parliament Lecture Series

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.

Resources: Factchecking the Yes and No pamphlets
The Australian Electoral Commission has published the Yes and No pamphlets as provided – Yes/No case pamphlet – Australian Electoral Commission (aec.gov.au). Media fact checkers have reviewed these, and you can see their assessments below. These links and more are available on the Learning about the Voice page on our website.

Other resources and events of interest

Resource: Behind the scenes: How Ngunnawal language is being brought back to life – The RiotACT article published 10 July. The Ngunnawal language will have its own dictionary and could be taught in Canberran schools. 

Event: “Walanbaa Yulu-gi” Burn the Floor featuring Mitch Tambo, world renowned Australian ballroom dance company Burn the Floor collaborates with Indigenous star Mitch Tambo to create a brand-new dance production at the Canberra Theatre, Wednesday 9 August 7:30pm – tickets via Canberra Theatre Centre.

Event: Looking back, moving forward: Caring for land and Country – Australian Academy of Science lecture series
Hear from our speakers Ms Shandell Cummings and Dr Fiona Walsh about how they are both working to integrate Traditional knowledges with non-Indigenous science to care for land and Country. Tuesday 8 August, 6-7pm, The Shine Dome Canberra (refreshments from 5.30) and online  – more information and tickets via the Academy.

Event: Tasting Australia with Adam Shipp – Kennedy Garden tours and tea
Join a seasonal walk through the National Museum’s Christina and Trevor Kennedy Garden, a living museum of First Nations food and medicine plants from across Australia. Enjoy the sights and scents of the season as Adam Shipp (Wiradjuri) of Yurbay Consultancies shares his passion for native plants. Each tour finishes with the opportunity to sample some of the flavours found in the Kennedy Garden and around the Canberra region. Friday 11 and Saturday 12 August (also dates in November and 2024) – more information and tickets via the National Museum.

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 14 August at 6pm. Email us at 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.

Yes23 at Gunghalin, ACT

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 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 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 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.

Yes23 at Gunghalin, ACT

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 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 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 Reasons for Yes – ANTaR ACT.

Yes23 happenings

Now that the date has been announced, the intensity of events and discussion has increased. Volunteers are talking to people at stalls around the region, as well as through door knocking and phone calls. To help out, you can connect with the local groups, Local Yes Groups – Yes23, check the Yes23 event list, Events – Voice to Parliament (yes23.com.au), or join one of the other opportunities listed here.

Kerstin and fellow volunteer at Jerrabomberra shopping centre

Help is needed for letterboxing in Yass, Queanbeyan, Googong and Jerrabomberra – leaflets can be collected from  the Yes23 Office within The Tradies Club in Dickson (near Unions ACT Office)  or  21 Monaro St, Queanbeyan.

Social media: You can help out by following Yes campaign social media pages, and by updating your profile picture – see details here: Yes23: Generate Your Profile Picture – Selfie generator. Facebook pages to follow, like and share: ACT ANTaR | Facebook — ANTAR | Australia | Facebook — Yes23 | Facebook — The Uluru Statement from the Heart | Facebook.

Donate: to Yes23 Donations or the Uluru Dialogues at UNSW.

Hand out How to Vote cards at pre-polling centres for the 2 weeks leading up to the referendum. 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!

Walk for Yes – Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September

Join supporters around Australia to Walk for Yes and help us show how many people – from all walks of life – will be voting Yes later this year! Everyone is welcome. Bring your friends, family, neighbours and colleagues. This is our chance to be part of something big!

Saturday 16 September: Queanbeyan’s Walk for Yes – starts at 11am in the Town Park, walk through town and over three bridges, end in the park with music and sausage sizzle!  RSVP: National Day of Action: Walk for Yes in Queanbeyan – Yes23.

Sunday 17 September: Walks for Yes in Canberra and Goulburn – RSVP for the event near you – details will be provided closer to the day.

The 20th Anniversary Long Walk for Recognition and a Voice
Welcome Michael Long to Canberra after walking from Melbourne. His original walk was in 2004. After the news that the Howard government would be abolishing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), Long trekked 650 kilometres to the capital to pose a question to the then-prime minister: ‘Where is the love for Aboriginal people?’. Michael Long has brought forward his 20th anniversary walk to support the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Follow the walk via Facebook (The Long Walk | Melbourne VIC | Facebook), and read more on NITV: AFL legend Michael Long is walking from Melbourne to Canberra, with a simple message on the Voice | SBS NITV.
WHEN: Thursday 14 September
DETAILS and RSVP: The Long Walk

A conversation about the Voice to Parliament – Braidwood
Join Yuwaalaraay musician and writer Nardi Simpson and Senator David Pocock for a conversation about the Referendum and the Voice to Parliament, with MC Michael Crosby.
WHEN: Saturday 9th September, 11am – 12:30pm (refreshments and conversation to follow)
WHERE: National Theatre, 100 Wallace Street, Braidwood
RSVP: A conversation about the Voice to Parliament – Yes23

Behind the campaign – interview with our local coordinator

Rob Baillieu is our ACT Yes23 Coordinator and the National Organising Support Officer for the Yes23 Campaign. Rob has been doing an amazing job to bring together hundreds of keen volunteers to campaign around Canberra and the wider southern NSW region. He took some time out to answer a few questions for us.

Rob at the Linked Hands for Yes event on 26 August

Why did you join the Yes23 campaign?
I joined the campaign after Peter Dutton announced he was going to vote No. I realised Indigenous Australians were going to go through the same hurt and pain of a public trial that Queer Australians went through with Marriage Equality. The idea that they might do that without the solidarity and support of every Australian was unacceptable to me. So I put my hand up to contribute.

What got you interested in activism?
Marriage Equality taught me that democracy isn’t a spectator sport. Your rights and the wellbeing of your community are always on the line. If you want a better world you have to fight for it.

Top 3 tips on campaigning
The secret to a successful campaign and a powerful conversation is to be positive, informative, and polite. If an undecided voter’s only impression of the campaign is “someone knocked on my door, treated me with respect, gave me a flyer, and was very friendly” then often that is all it takes to get them across the line.

More information – if you don’t know, find out!

There is a lot of information and commentary around about the referendum – can all be confusing when trying to weigh the issues and make a decision.

We’ve pulled together a range of resources and articles on our website, with a range of perspectives: Learning about the Uluru Statement and 2023 Referendum – ANTaR ACT. We have just updated this page and will continue to add more resources. Recent updates include:

How to vote in the referendum

  • In person: A web tool to find your nearest early voting centre or polling place will be available closer to the voting period. Check the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website or Canberra Times in late September for locations. See Referendum 2023 – Vote in person (aec.gov.au) for more information.
    • Pre-polling will start in Canberra & NSW on 3 October (with the public holiday on 2 October) and be open up to polling day.
    • On polling day, Saturday, October 14, polls will be open from 8am to 6pm, local time. 
  • Postal voting is available for anyone not able to make it to vote in-person. Postal vote applications will open shortly and remain open until 6pm on Wednesday 11th October 2023. Check the AEC website for more information: Referendum 2023 – Postal voting (aec.gov.au).
  • Other: the AEC website also has information about provisions for people who are overseas (Referendum 2023 – Overseas voting (aec.gov.au)), residential care facilities, prisons, homeless shelters and other situations.

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 Reasons for Yes – ANTaR ACT.

Yes23 happenings

Now that the date has been announced, the intensity of events and discussion has increased. Volunteers are talking to people at stalls around the region, as well as through door knocking and phone calls. To help out, you can connect with the local groups, Local Yes Groups – Yes23, check the Yes23 event list, Events – Voice to Parliament (yes23.com.au), or join one of the other opportunities listed here.

Kerstin and fellow volunteer at Jerrabomberra shopping centre

Help is needed for letterboxing in Yass, Queanbeyan, Googong and Jerrabomberra – leaflets can be collected from  the Yes23 Office within The Tradies Club in Dickson (near Unions ACT Office)  or  21 Monaro St, Queanbeyan.

Social media: You can help out by following Yes campaign social media pages, and by updating your profile picture – see details here: Yes23: Generate Your Profile Picture – Selfie generator. Facebook pages to follow, like and share: ACT ANTaR | Facebook — ANTAR | Australia | Facebook — Yes23 | Facebook — The Uluru Statement from the Heart | Facebook.

Donate: to Yes23 Donations or the Uluru Dialogues at UNSW.

Hand out How to Vote cards at pre-polling centres for the 2 weeks leading up to the referendum. 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!

Walk for Yes – Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 September

Join supporters around Australia to Walk for Yes and help us show how many people – from all walks of life – will be voting Yes later this year! Everyone is welcome. Bring your friends, family, neighbours and colleagues. This is our chance to be part of something big!

Saturday 16 September: Queanbeyan’s Walk for Yes – starts at 11am in the Town Park, walk through town and over three bridges, end in the park with music and sausage sizzle!  RSVP: National Day of Action: Walk for Yes in Queanbeyan – Yes23.

Sunday 17 September: Walks for Yes in Canberra and Goulburn – RSVP for the event near you – details will be provided closer to the day.

The 20th Anniversary Long Walk for Recognition and a Voice
Welcome Michael Long to Canberra after walking from Melbourne. His original walk was in 2004. After the news that the Howard government would be abolishing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), Long trekked 650 kilometres to the capital to pose a question to the then-prime minister: ‘Where is the love for Aboriginal people?’. Michael Long has brought forward his 20th anniversary walk to support the proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Follow the walk via Facebook (The Long Walk | Melbourne VIC | Facebook), and read more on NITV: AFL legend Michael Long is walking from Melbourne to Canberra, with a simple message on the Voice | SBS NITV.
WHEN: Thursday 14 September
DETAILS and RSVP: The Long Walk

A conversation about the Voice to Parliament – Braidwood
Join Yuwaalaraay musician and writer Nardi Simpson and Senator David Pocock for a conversation about the Referendum and the Voice to Parliament, with MC Michael Crosby.
WHEN: Saturday 9th September, 11am – 12:30pm (refreshments and conversation to follow)
WHERE: National Theatre, 100 Wallace Street, Braidwood
RSVP: A conversation about the Voice to Parliament – Yes23

Behind the campaign – interview with our local coordinator

Rob Baillieu is our ACT Yes23 Coordinator and the National Organising Support Officer for the Yes23 Campaign. Rob has been doing an amazing job to bring together hundreds of keen volunteers to campaign around Canberra and the wider southern NSW region. He took some time out to answer a few questions for us.

Rob at the Linked Hands for Yes event on 26 August

Why did you join the Yes23 campaign?
I joined the campaign after Peter Dutton announced he was going to vote No. I realised Indigenous Australians were going to go through the same hurt and pain of a public trial that Queer Australians went through with Marriage Equality. The idea that they might do that without the solidarity and support of every Australian was unacceptable to me. So I put my hand up to contribute.

What got you interested in activism?
Marriage Equality taught me that democracy isn’t a spectator sport. Your rights and the wellbeing of your community are always on the line. If you want a better world you have to fight for it.

Top 3 tips on campaigning
The secret to a successful campaign and a powerful conversation is to be positive, informative, and polite. If an undecided voter’s only impression of the campaign is “someone knocked on my door, treated me with respect, gave me a flyer, and was very friendly” then often that is all it takes to get them across the line.

More information – if you don’t know, find out!

There is a lot of information and commentary around about the referendum – can all be confusing when trying to weigh the issues and make a decision.

We’ve pulled together a range of resources and articles on our website, with a range of perspectives: Learning about the Uluru Statement and 2023 Referendum – ANTaR ACT. We have just updated this page and will continue to add more resources. Recent updates include:

How to vote in the referendum

  • In person: A web tool to find your nearest early voting centre or polling place will be available closer to the voting period. Check the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) website or Canberra Times in late September for locations. See Referendum 2023 – Vote in person (aec.gov.au) for more information.
    • Pre-polling will start in Canberra & NSW on 3 October (with the public holiday on 2 October) and be open up to polling day.
    • On polling day, Saturday, October 14, polls will be open from 8am to 6pm, local time. 
  • Postal voting is available for anyone not able to make it to vote in-person. Postal vote applications will open shortly and remain open until 6pm on Wednesday 11th October 2023. Check the AEC website for more information: Referendum 2023 – Postal voting (aec.gov.au).
  • Other: the AEC website also has information about provisions for people who are overseas (Referendum 2023 – Overseas voting (aec.gov.au)), residential care facilities, prisons, homeless shelters and other situations.

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 National Day of Action: Walk for Yes in Queanbeyan – Yes23

WHEN: Saturday 16 September: 11am – 2pm
WHERE: Axis Community Centre, cnr of Campbell St and Park St, Queanbeyan.

Canberra Walk for Yes – Sunday 17 September

{Updated with details on 14/9/2023}
Meet at the grounds North West of the National Library by Lake Burley Griffin at 11am on Sunday the 17th of September. The event will conclude at 1pm at Parliament House.

We will receive a Welcome to Country from Ngunnawal Elder Aunty Violet. This will be followed by speeches from Indigenous Elders and Community leaders both at the National Library and Parliament.

Parking will be limited so arrive early, catch a cab/uber, use public transport, or walk/cycle.

Wear your Yes23 merch, bring water, and bring family friendly banners and signs for the walk.

For more information see: Canberra Walk for Yes – Yes23

Goulburn Walk for Yes – Sunday 17 September

Meet at Fitzroy Bridge, 33 Sydney Road, at 11am. For details see: Goulburn Walk for Yes – Yes23.

The Long Walk with Michael Long

We also encourage you to come and meet Michael Long on his Long Walk for the Voice from Melbourne to Canberra.

Tuesday 12 September DAY 17 – KEY INFO – The Long Walk
1.30pm – Yass – meet at Coronation Park and walk to Victoria Park – by 2.30pm.

Wednesday 13 September DAY 18 – KEY INFO – The Long Walk
11.30am – Canberra – meet at Ainslie Football Club, Wakefield Avenue, at 11.30am for a 12 noon start, and walk to Legislative Assembly arriving there 12.45pm.

3.30pm – Queanbeyan – meet at Queanbeyan Whites Rugby League Club, walk to the Town Park – arriving 4.30pm.

Thursday 14 September DAY 19 – KEY INFO – The Long Walk
6am – Canberra – meet Michael at Kings Park, Queen Elizabeth Island (the Carillon one!), with a community event to follow.

For more information, check the website The Long Walk or Facebook page: The Long Walk | Melbourne VIC | Facebook.

More about the referendum

Watch Marcia Langton

Watch the powerful address distinguished Professor Marcia Langton, Anthropologist, Geographer and Academic, gave at the National Press Club, 6 September 2023. National Press Club Address : ABC iview

Get involved

To help out, connect with the local groups or sign up for an event through the Yes23 website. Events – Voice to Parliament (yes23.com.au) and Local Yes Groups – Yes23.

See our statement

We’ve put together a statement of the reasons ANTaR ACT committee members have given for voting Yes, which you can read here: Reasons for Yes – ANTaR ACT.

Find out more about the referendum

We’ve pulled together a range of resources and articles on our website, with a range of perspectives: Learning about the Uluru Statement and 2023 Referendum – ANTaR ACT. We will continue to update this page and add more resources.

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.

 

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