Surf Coast Votes Yes launches social media campaign ahead of referendum

LOCAL advocacy group for the Voice, Surf Coast Votes Yes, launched its social media campaign on Friday (September 15), featuring 20 local figures advocating for the YES vote.

Surf Coast Votes Yes convenor Hutch Hussein says the “Local Voices for a National Voice to Parliament” campaign aimed to take a creative approach in an attempt to reach a cross-section of audiences, particularly those in “undecided” demographics such as men aged 18-34 and women aged 35-54.

“We wanted locals to hear from other locals why they’re voting yes and why we need take this necessary step forward for reconciliation,” Ms Hussein said.

“They’re raising their voices to ensure our local Indigenous communities get a national voice and have a say on matters affecting them.”

The various advertisements will feature 20 respected locals from a cross-section of fields ranging from business to environment to arts and other community sectors, and as to why they are voting YES.

The 20 community figures include:
– Sally White (ANGAIR)
– Maurice Cole (Surfing legend)
– Lisa Deppeler (Apollo Bay environmentalist)
– Markus Noelle (Apollo Bay businessman)
– Graeme Stockton (Bellbrae environmentalist)
– Zac Briffa (former Aireys Inlet musician)
– Prue Challis (Torquay Community House)
– Catherine Crowe (Torquay local)
– Dave Curnow (Bellbrae local)
– Beth Davidson (Anglesea community leader)
– Victor Goldsztein (Deans Marsh community leader and recent Surf Coast Local Legend)
– Bob Knowles (Apollo Bay businessman)
– Ferne Millen (Jan Juc photographer)
– Markus Noelle (Apollo Bay businessman)
– Councillors Liz Pattison, Libby Stapleton and Rose Hodge
– Nicola Philp (Apollo Bay author)
– Mark Smith (Anglesea author), and
– Merrin Wake (Mt Duneed, Surf Coast for Equality)

Surf Coast Votes Yes has also launched a fundraising GoFundMe page seeking public support to purchase targeted ads on social media to ensure they reach undecided voters.

This year’s National Referendum on altering the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by creating an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice will be held on October 14.