Noosa Shire people are joining a big community effort to show local support for Constitutional recognition of First Nations people through a Voice to Parliament – by literally jumping on board the Yes train this weekend.
A big contingent of locals from Noosa Shire and the hinterland plans to travel to Brisbane this weekend [17/9] to join Queensland’s major Walk for Yes event.
Pomona resident Dr Geoff Evans, coordinator of the community organisation Noosa for Yes, said the “Yes train” carrying local supporters would leave Nambour station around 7.30am on Sunday morning [17/9], with others travelling by car.
“The enthusiasm of Noosa locals has been absolutely heartening. We’ve been overwhelmed with the community response and people’s willingness to learn more about how the Voice will support practical change to Close the Gap,” Dr Evans said.
“People are jumping on board the Yes train – literally and figuratively – to show their support for the Voice to Parliament.”
Walk for Yes events, organised by advocacy organisation Yes23, are being held around the country, including in Brisbane, to demonstrate community support for Yes in the lead-up to the 14 October referendum.
Noosaville woman June Spehr, a retired TAFE equity and access coordinator, planned to show her support for the Voice to Parliament at the Brisbane Walk for Yes.
“It’s time First Nations people had a say in their own destiny. Research shows the positive outcomes that result when people are involved in decisions affecting them,” Ms Spehr said.
Dr Evans said Noosa for Yes was established to help answer questions and direct people to credible sources of information about the voting process and why First Nations people developed the proposal for Constitutional recognition through a Voice to Parliament advisory committee.
New volunteers from across Noosa Shire were signing up via the Noosa for Yes website every day. Volunteers were speaking with locals at their homes, in local shopping strips, at markets and in parks.
With only a month to go until the 14 October referendum, Dr Evans said Noosa for Yes was asking local people to make sure they and their loved ones and friends were on the electoral roll so that they could cast their vote for Yes on 14 October, or beforehand by pre-poll or postal vote.
“People can jump onto the Australian Electoral Commission website to check that their details are up to date or enrol to vote,” he said.
“If people have kids, grandies, nieces and nephews or other special young people in their lives, please have a chat about the referendum and encourage them to get on the electoral roll so that they can cast a Yes vote for a positive future for all Australians.”
