Waverley Council is inviting the community to attend our ‘Waverley says yes’ community barbecue on Saturday 25 February at the Bondi Pavilion northern forecourt from 9.30am to 11:30am.
The free event aims to raise awareness and build support for the Voice to Parliament referendum. Read or listen to an audio of the Statement here.
In November last year, Waverley Council unanimously voted to support the Uluru Statement From the Heart which calls for two substantive changes: a Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution and a Makarrata Commission to supervise agreement making and truth-telling about our First Nations history. The Statement is an invitation from First Nations Peoples issued to all Australians on 26 May 2017.
Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, said the Statement is a path forward for justice and self-determination for First Nations Peoples in this country.
“It calls for legal and lasting structural reforms to reshape the relationship between First Nations Peoples and the Australian population,” Mayor Masselos said.
“Council’s position on the Statement reflects our ongoing commitment to reconciliation as outlined in our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, adopted in 2019.
“This plan, known as the RAP, outlines the Council’s vision for Waverley being a vibrant, resilient, caring and inclusive community where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples practice and celebrate their culture and heritage proudly, are honoured for their survival and resilience, and supported to continue to overcome adversity, and, are respected and acknowledged as First Nations peoples with the right to determine their own futures.”
Indigenous lawyer, Eddie Synot, who has worked on the Uluru dialogue since 2018, will be speaking at the event which the Assistant Minister for Trade and for Manufacturing, Senator Tim Ayres, and Member for Wentworth, Allegra Spender, are attending.
“Saturday 18 February marks the official start of the ‘Yes’ campaign for a referendum on the Voice to Parliament our Council last year voted to provide the facts and to build community awareness about the Uluru Statement from the Heart, the Voice to Parliament and the call for a Makarrata Commission so that our community can make an informed decision,” Mayor Masselos said.
“We encourage community to attend this Saturday to find out more about our push for constitutional change to hear from our esteemed speakers.
“Waverley Council is continuing to work with our RAP Committee, the Uluru Dialogue, From the Heart and representatives of the traditional owners of the Sydney area with connection to Waverley in the design of our education and awareness about the Statement.”
