By JONATHON HOWARD
A MONUMENTAL Indigenous campaign to change Australia’s constitution and remove a section which bans people from voting based on race, arrived in Tewantin last week.
The “Recognise” campaign is an Australia-wide initiative that’s calling on everyone to take up the fight for first Australians and move our country away from the “white Australia” policies of the past.
The meeting took place at United Synergies in Tewantin and attracted more than 100 people.
Members of the Recognise group called on Noosa residents to join them in their long and arduous “journey towards recognition” relay, which goes further than just a Facebook “like”.
The journey has taken a group of Recognise members to 180 different Australian communities calling for support and for people to stand up and recognise Indigenous Australians.
Relay member Kaylene Ashton said the campaign had a clear focus on removing discrimination from Australia’s constitution.
“What we’ve found is that people were unaware that such a section exists in our constitution and they’re even more shocked that it hasn’t been changed,” she said.
The relay members said visiting and “liking” the Facebook/recogniseAUS website was a one way to get started, but for anyone wanting to get involved could do much more.
“We’re also asking families to actively discuss the issue over the dinner table, in the community with your local MP or councillor – be active in wanting to make this change,” relay member Dale Agius said.
To find out more or to get involved visit www.recognise.org.au – where you can find more information and relevant links.
