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\u201cIn 1979, these leaders established an organisation that provided culturally safe supports in a time where this was not always available for Aboriginal people in the public health, education, legal or housing system.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur people were turned away, judged, racially vilified, excluded and left feeling alone and unsupported by a country that 12 years prior, voted in a referendum to count Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People as human beings in their own country, allowing them to vote and be included as citizens of Australia.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur vision is to be the strongest voice and presence in the Ballarat district, supporting and respecting our people, enhancing our community, growing our culture and honouring our heritage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Devlin said ideal solutions can be discussed and carried out when the people affected are central to the problem-solving.<\/p>\n
\u201cAustralia\u2019s First Peoples are the world\u2019s oldest living continuous culture, and there is much that can be learnt from listening to the wisdom of our elders and our people, and allowing us to inform and participate in matters of significance,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile there are First Nations politicians in Federal Parliament, their role is to represent their constituents and political party, not to focus on First Nations issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cRight now, there are 11 First Nations politicians at a Federal level. In future parliaments, there may be none.<\/p>\n
\u201cA voice to Parliament will provide a centralised point for consultation, a group of First Nations people with broad lived-experience and direct community connection giving advice to government.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn advisory group free from political interference and not subject to changes in government, ministers or political priorities of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n
As pre-polling continues, and the official voting day approaches on Saturday 14 October, Ms Devlin acknowledged that not all Traditional Owners, or wider community members, will share the same opinion.<\/p>\n
But she encouraged people to have respectful dialogues, and \u201cif you\u2019re unsure, find out.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not okay to just say, \u2018I don\u2019t know, so I\u2019m going to vote no.\u2019 Educate yourself… Go onto the Yes 23 website,\u201d Ms Devlin said. \u201cThis is too important to be left to chance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe respect diverse opinions, but we ask that debate is done in a respectful and mindful manner, acknowledging the hurt and trauma that exists for many First People.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are asking the Australian community to vote yes in the upcoming referendum. We\u2019re really excited and we want people to bring this home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wadawurrung woman and cultural strengthening general manager at the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Corrina Eccles, welcomed the attendees of the formal announcement to country.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LOCAL First Nations organisations have announced their support for a yes vote in the referendum to introduce an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice to Parliament. Members of the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-Operative and the board of the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation held a smoking ceremony and announced their stance at Lake Wendouree\u2019s […]<\/p>\n