Volunteer power achieved rare Yes in Cunningham
The Wollongong Yes23 team ran an enthusiastic campaign with the help of more than 600 volunteers, many of whom took to the streets to counter online misinformation. They knocked on doors, handed out flyers at train stations and held a weekly information stall at Crown St Mall.
Australia voted No to enshrining an Indigenous voice in the constitution but Cunningham voted Yes.
The 519 sq km electoral division – which stretches from Helensburgh south to Warrawong, parts of Unanderra and Farmborough Heights – achieved a 51.43% Yes vote.
According to today’s Australian Electoral Commission data, suburbs with the most Yes votes included Austinmer (77.83%), Wombarra (72.34%), Thirroul (69.6%), Coledale (68.63%) and Stanwell Park.
In a letter to the editor, longtime resident and former government minister The Hon. Ted Pickering AM said, "The Stanwell Park booth had a 68.1% yes vote. Proud of my community."
The Wollongong Yes23 team ran an enthusiastic campaign with the help of more than 600 volunteers, many of whom took to the streets to counter online misinformation. They knocked on doors, handed out flyers at train stations and held a weekly information stall at Crown St Mall.
Local elders who supported the campaign included Uncle Richard Davis, Aunty Sharralyn ‘Shas’ Robinson and Aunty Barbara Nicholson. Dharawal language expert Dr Jodi Edwards was a tireless supporter right through to referendum day, when she started the day by sharing her knowledge on an Indigenous SUP tour before going on to welcome Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on his visit to Dapto.
Special features of the Wollongong campaign included monthly Sit In/Swim Outs, a Yes Choir and the Art from our Hearts exhibition. This event at Clifton School of Arts raised $14,000 and was the local team's biggest fundraiser.
"Never underestimate the power of art to make change in our society," the leader of the Wollongong Yes campaign, John Corker, said at the time.
The retired lawyer from Thirroul was among many campaigners taking time off this week, as Indigenous leaders called for a week of silence to grieve for the result.
Yesterday Member for Cunningham Alison Byrnes congratulated the Wollongong Yes23 team on their efforts.
“Thank you to all the volunteers and supporters across the electorate and the country for believing in a better future for all Australians,” the Labor politician posted on her Facebook page on Sunday.
“Whilst the result was not what we hoped for, everyone put their entire heart and soul into the campaign, having hard conversations and changing minds, which saw Cunningham vote yes.”
Wollongong City Councillor Tania Brown, also of the Labor Party, commented, saying: “Very proud to be from Cunningham today, though bitterly sad at the outcome."
To see how your area voted, visit the AEC’s Tally Room.
