A community forum on the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum featuring a panel of First Nations leaders and advocates will be held in Newport.
The panel will speak at Newport Community Hub on Monday 11 September and explore the referendum and reasons why they support an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
The panel includes:
Mayor Ross Andrews, a Djungan and Yalanji man from the Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council in north Queensland. Mayor Andrews is a member of the referendum engagement group for the Uluru Statement of the Heart.
Ian Hamm, a Yorta Yorta man who has been actively involved in the Victorian Indigenous community personally and professionally for many years, and
Dr Heather Wearne, an academic and teacher of Indigenous studies and Australian colonial history, a social justice advocate, and a volunteer educator for the Yes 23 campaign.
Hobsons Bay City Council has a long and proud sister city relationship with Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council, which has played an important role in helping establish this year’s referendum.
The Yarrabah Affirmation in April 2022 reaffirmed First Nations delegates’ commitment to the Uluru Statement from the Heart and called on the next federal government to hold a referendum within two years.
Hobsons Bay City Council voted at its meeting in June to support the Yes vote, and to promote information and resources to help the community become informed about the Voice.
Tickets to the forum are free, but bookings are essential via Eventbrite.
Quotes attributable to Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Cr Tony Briffa:
“The Voice to Parliament referendum will be a defining moment in Australia’s history and will be an important step towards reconciliation.
“I’m proud our Council voted to support the Yes vote. I will be voting Yes because I believe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should have a say on the decisions that affect them. It’s a fair, reasonable, and respectful thing to do.
“We have a cherished sister city relationship with Yarrabah, and we’re looking forward to having Mayor Ross Andrews speak in our community along with Dr Heather Wearne and Ian Hamm about why a First Nations Voice to Parliament is so important to them and our nation.
“I encourage community members to let their family, friends and community groups know about this panel and to come to hear this important discussion.”
