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In just a matter of days, we head to the polls for what I believe will be the most significant vote in my lifetime.

Like millions of other Australians, I voted for a republic in 1999 but nearly 55% of us decided to stay tied to the British monarchy. For me personally that was disappointing, but it didn’t really change anyone’s lives for better or worse.

That’s where this referendum for The Voice to Parliament enshrined in our Constitution is different. Giving our First Nations people a say in their own affairs WILL be life-changing and it presents a once-in-a-generation – maybe even a once-in-a-lifetime – opportunity to do something significant to help close the gap.

It’s been a roller-coaster journey these past few months. I can’t recall an issue that has generated such unnecessary angst, and where lies and misinformation have sprouted daily in the media and largely gone unchallenged.

I’ve had the great privilege here in the Illawarra to have joined together with a small but highly enthusiastic and energetic group who’ve left no stone unturned trying to persuade those undecided voters to consider the benefits and good sense in voting Yes.

Retired Thirroul lawyer John Corker has been on the job 24/7, mustering and motivating the troops to keep up the energy levels for a fight that’s worth having.

The Illawarra’s challenge

It all started locally with a rousing launch event at the aptly named Hope Theatre on the University of Wollongong campus, where our 2023 Wollongong Citizen of the Year, Sally Stevenson, challenged us all to make the Illawarra the highest voting Yes community in Australia.

From that beginning we’ve had a plethora of gatherings and events, all with one common purpose – getting more people engaged and informed about the importance of the referendum with a view to voting a resounding Yes.

Against the backdrop of our Pacific, the monthly Swim Out/Sit In events at North Wollongong Beach have allowed us to share our passion for change with thousands of passers-by, while at the same time reminding us what a special part of the world we live in.

We’ve had packed-out musical events for Yes at the Servo in Port Kembla and we’ve even seen the creation of a Wollongong Choir for Yes under the guidance of Janet Andrews from the Conservatorium of Music.

We lined the streets as former politician and ultra-marathon runner Pat Farmer, who lapped Australia for Yes, ran into town.

At Clifton, dozens of artists donated their prized works to the Art From Our Hearts exhibition, which has proven to be our biggest local fundraiser.

We massed in huge numbers a few Sundays ago, singing songs, marching and chanting ‘Yes Yes Yes’ by the entry to Lake Illawarra as part of a national day of action in support of the referendum.

Correcting misinformation

Perhaps our biggest challenge over the past three months has been countering the constant fear-mongering and misinformation that’s been peddled by the No campaigners.

That’s why we’ve ‘taken it to the streets’, operating information stalls in the city mall every Friday and at shopping centres in Helensburgh, Corrimal, Dapto, Warrawong and outside Bulli Surf Life Saving Club.

We’ve knocked on thousands and thousands of doors, seeking to have respectful conversations and to clear up any doubts that a Yes vote is a good and right thing for us to do.

By changing people’s minds we firmly believe we’re changing people’s lives.

At times this whole campaign has been a struggle. But our First Nations people know all about struggles. They’ve endured more than
230 years of struggle. Let’s ignore Senator Price’s claim that because white fellas gave our Aboriginal people running water they should in some way feel grateful.

On 14 October, we who are in the 97 per cent
get a chance to do something positive for the three per cent of us who are among the most marginalised and disadvantaged in our nation.

For the vast majority of us, this vote has no self-interest attached to it. Most of us will have nothing to gain, other than knowing we’re doing something good. It’s a vastly different story for the First Nations people I’ve met during this campaign, who I’m now privileged to call my friends.

Elders have done the heavy lifting

People like our local elders have done so much of the heavy lifting during this campaign, just as they’ve been doing to improve the lives of their people for decades.

Uncle Richard Davis can only see positives from a Yes win.

“If we vote Yes, it will only make Australia a better place. It’s not about feeling sorry for us, it’s about giving those in greatest need a helping hand and doing the right thing.”

Aunty Sharralyn ‘Shas’ Robinson says with or without the referendum, something has to change.

“My people have been suffering for more than 200 years and I witness that disadvantage daily.

“It’s in our health system, housing, the numbers of our people in jails and the lack of employment opportunities, just to name a few. After all these years of doing nothing that’s making a real difference, we have the opportunity to make change by voting Yes in this referendum.”

Dispelling the myths

Aunty Barbara Nicholson laughs off the cries of No voters that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders don’t support The Voice.

“I don’t know any black fellas who don’t support The Voice,” she told the big crowd at North Beach in early September.

“Most Aboriginal people I know want to get on with it and get it done … because the alternative is ridiculous. To vote No means nothing will change, it will never get better, and we will stay in this parlous state.”

The final word in this series deservedly belongs to a future elder, Jaymee Beveridge, who is the Vice President of Indigenous Strategy and Engagement at the University of Wollongong.

“To the 97 per cent of the voting population that the referendum will not impact, I remind you not to let fear-mongering influence you. Recognise that you are going to be on the right side of history.

“It’s the first step to pragmatic action to help heal the traumas currently dividing us as a nation. It’s a fibre that can weave Australia into a unified nation.”

We’re just days away from the most significant vote in my lifetime.

One small word. Three simple letters. To make a positive change. Please vote YES!

One final chance to learn more

For anyone still undecided, feel free to head down for the final information sharing event at North Beach.

It starts at 8am on Sunday, 8 October with Aerobics Yes Style, near Diggies Cafe, followed at 9am by the Sit In/Swim Out for Yes.

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.