Surf Coast to gather for ‘Yes’ movement

AT least 100 people will gather at Torquay’s Cosy Corner next Sunday (July 2) in a show of solidarity for the Voice to Parliament’s ‘Yes’ movement.

Local YES23 community action groups, Surf Coast Votes Yes, Geelong Votes Yes and Bellarine Votes Yes are inviting locals to show their support for reconciliation and spell out “YES” on Cosy Corner beach from 3.30pm next weekend.

Torquay local Hutch Hussein said the event coincides with the beginning of NAIDOC Week.

“We want to send a clear and powerful message that the Surf Coast supports the YES23 campaign, which will see us take an important step forward for reconciliation,” Ms Hussein said.

“By joining us to form a human ‘YES’, we can help locals make their voice heard, while also showing solidarity with our local Indigenous community.

“We’re raising our voices to ensure our local Wadawurrung community’s voice gets heard through a Voice to Parliament,” Hussein said.

The event comes on the back of a booked-out Surf Coast Voice to Parliament Referendum Forum held in April this year.

It also forms one of 17 events across Australia on ‘Come Together for Yes’ day.

Locals will gather on the Esplanade’s Elephant Walk for a Welcome to Country held by Wadawurrung Traditional Owner, Corrina Eccles.

“This is an historic opportunity to begin to right the wrongs of the past,” Ms Hussein said.

“We want to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are finally recognised in our constitution and can secure a Voice to Parliament, so they can have their say on matters that impact them,” Hussein said.

There will also be a Didgeridoo performance and attendees will also be provided with a free YES23 campaign t-shirt to wear.

Australians head to the polls for the first time in 24 years to vote on a potential change to the constitution within the next two to six months.

Locals interested in joining Surf Coast for Yes can do so at action.yes23.com.au/surf_coast_for_yes