If the YES vote gets up, it will be thanks to a grassroots effort

"I just want to see it done in my lifetime."

Those words from Austinmer’s Denise Ferrier were echoed by many who turned up for the first gathering of the Wollongong Yes referendum supporters at Stuart Park on Saturday, July 15.

More than 100 highly motivated YES volunteers came together to collect their T-shirts, placards and posters, and the majority said they’d never been involved in a campaign of this nature before.

Dapto man Nick Haughain told me: "It’s the right thing to do and it’s high time Indigenous people in this country are listened to."

Many hands make light work

To date, 170 people in the Wollongong LGA have put their names forward to perform a range of roles – from door knocking and running market stalls to handing out YES23 information at polling booths on the day of the referendum.

Wollongong YES23 campaign coordinator John Corker reaffirmed the aim of the local campaign was to have the highest YES vote in the nation.

"We have volunteers from every postcode in Wollongong and these people will spend the months ahead being positive, respectful and persuasive about why we must give our First Nations people a say in their own affairs," John said.

At Saturday’s YES get together, volunteers were grouped into teams based on their postcodes to share ideas and strategies to reach out to every voter in the city.

‘It’s a basic human right’

"This isn’t political. It’s a basic human right for our First Nations people to give advice on policy and legislation that affects them," said Woonona woman Susan Benham.

Another volunteer, Janice Gray from Coledale, said the referendum was a clear choice. "I just want to live in a fairer country," she said.

Susan Sergent from Fairy Meadow has spent many years working with Indigenous
Australians in western NSW and the NT.

"They are an amazing people who are willing to share 65,000 years of caring for their country with us," Susan said. "It’s important we vote yes in that spirit of sharing."

Welcome to Country

Mark Bloxsome, a Dharawal man of the Yuin Nation, gave the Welcome to Country at Saturday’s event.

"Our community has long been fighting for the rights of Aboriginal people and social justice for all," Mark said.

"Many of our elders have now passed but they, and our ancestors, will be with us in spirit as we move forward in this campaign.

"Let’s go forward from today inspired and ready for the challenge of growing the YES vote for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be recognised in the constitution as Australia’s first people by way of a Voice to Parliament," Mark said.

Great ideas abound

The weekend’s volunteer get-together produced a host of brilliant ideas to help get the word out, especially to those who still want to know more about the referendum and become better informed before they vote.

With the referendum expected to take place within four months, the growing team of volunteers will target shopping centres, sporting groups and community organisations in the hope of swaying undecided voters to say YES.

Leading the way, retired lawyer John Corker, from Thirroul, says more volunteers are needed to help spread the word.

"People wanting to play a part in what we hope will be a history-making vote later this year can register on the yes.23.com.au website."

What’s next?

Anyone seeking more information about The Voice referendum can:

• Visit the stall in the Wollongong Mall outside the Wesley Mission Church every Friday from 10am.
• Attend the Gathering for the Voice at North Wollongong Beach on Sunday, 6 August from 9-11am
• Attend the Art from the Hearts exhibition at the Clifton School of Arts on the weekend of 12-13 August from 10am-4pm.
• Attend the Voice for a Voice concert at the Servo in Port Kembla on 2 September from 7pm

About the writer

Jeremy Lasek has many decades of experience in media, marketing, events and PR. His career began in the Illawarra with the Lake Times, ABC Radio and WIN-TV. For eight years Jeremy was news director for WIN in Canberra and was national news director before joining the National Capital Authority as head of media and events. Jeremy was executive director of ACT Government Communications, Events, Arts, Heritage and Protocol for many years, was Chief of Staff to the ACT Chief Minister and had responsibility for the Centenary of Canberra celebrations in 2013. Before returning to Wollongong, Jeremy was CEO of the National Australia Day Council (including the Australian of the Year Awards) and head of communications for the Australian Federal Police. He’s currently volunteering on the YES23 campaign.