Local First Nations leader Jaymee Beveridge has called out the growing number of racist voices coming to the fore as the debate over the Voice to Parliament enters its final weeks.
Speaking to a crowd of nearly 2000 near the entrance to Lake Illawarra today, Jaymee said increased racist slurs were "distressful", and had made her people "emotional" and "anxious".
Jaymee told the crowd it was unfortunate that the referendum had provided a voice for racists in Australia to speak out.
"Racist views have been elevated," she said.
The Illawarra event was part of a nationwide "Walk for Yes" weekend where tens of thousands of Australians took to parks, streets and bridges to show just how strong the call for a better, fairer future for Indigenous Australians is.
The local event brought together people of all ages, wearing colourful Vote Yes t-shirts and carrying placards that demonstrated support from sporting groups, multicultural communities, trade unions and social workers.
Dr Jodi Edwards provided an emotional Welcome to Country via a combination of traditional language and song.
"We are standing on the place where Dharawal people first stepped foot on this country," Jodi said.
She said for tens of thousands of years there had been many voices on this land.
"We’re here today to gather as many voices as we can to create one Voice for many," she added.
The mayors of Shellharbour and Wollongong represented their councils, both of which have strongly backed the Yes vote.
"This referendum is not driven by politics but by the Uluru Statement from the Heart," said Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer.
"It’s coming from the heart of Australia. This is a yes for human beings and a yes for Australia.
"It’s about moving forward as one, opening our hearts to First Nations people who are an inspiration to me."
Wollongong's Lord Mayor, Gordon Bradbery, said the vote on 14 October "gives our nation an opportunity to vote on truth".
"In voting yes for truth that this land was occupied by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for tens of thousands of years," he said.
Yes campaign supporter Daniel Bourke called on everyone who attended the rally to have conversations to try to convince the undecided voters to vote yes.
"Don’t wake up on the 15th of October and think, 'I should have done more.' Each member of this community has a responsibility to have the conversation."
Jaymee Beveridge, who is Vice President of Indigenous Strategy and Engagement at the University of Wollongong, said people should ignore those who say First Nations people oppose The Voice.
"When I ask my mob do we want to be recognised and want a Voice the answer is yes. Don’t be confused. We are not homogenous. We have differing views like everyone else. But my mob will be voting yes."
Jaymee expressed her disappointment and frustration that the referendum had become "political".
"This is a humanitarian issue. It’s not a political issue."
She emphasised how important every vote would be across Australia.
"On the 15th of October Australia will be holding a mirror up to every individual and in every state.
"The world is watching. What do we want the world to see when we look at ourselves in the mirror on the 15th of October?"
The big crowd was entertained by the newly created Wollongong for Yes Choir before creating a giant human YES in the parkland.
The largest rally for Yes in the Illawarra since the start of the campaign on 2 July concluded with a mass walk across Windang Bridge with hundreds of passing motorists honking their support for the Yes campaign.
Where to get your Yes merchandise
There’s been huge interest in people wanting to get a hold of Yes merchandise. Here are some of the locations you can pick some up or purchase.
- Bulli Surf Club on Saturdays 7.30-10.30am.
- Outside Priceline Pharmacy in Corrimal on Saturdays 9am-12 noon.
- Crown Street Markets in Wollongong on Fridays 11am-2pm.
- Outside Coles Helensburgh on Saturdays 9.30am-11am and Thursdays 3.30-5.30pm.
- Warrawong Markets on Saturdays 9am-2pm.
Coming soon for the Yes 2023 campaign
Wednesday, 20 September – UOW Voice Endorsement Ceremony; University of Wollongong; 3-5pm – at the McKinnon Laws.
Saturday, 23 September – Paddling for Yes; 8am at Belmore Basin, Wollongong Harbour.
Thursday, 28 September – Business and Community Lunch; Diggers Club, Wollongong; 12-2.30pm – Keynote speaker will be respected broadcaster and journalist Kerry O’Brien.
Monday, 2 October – Pre-poll voting begins.
Sunday, 8 October – Aerobics YES Style; 8am – North Wollongong Beach.
Sunday, 8 October – Sit In/Swim Out for Yes – 9am North Wollongong Beach.
Find more information about the Wollongong for Yes campaign here
About the writer
Jeremy Lasek has many decades of experience in media, marketing, events and PR. His career began in the Illawarra with the Lake Times, ABC Radio and WIN-TV. For eight years Jeremy was news director for WIN in Canberra and was national news director before joining the National Capital Authority as head of media and events. Jeremy was executive director of ACT Government Communications, Events, Arts, Heritage and Protocol for many years, was Chief of Staff to the ACT Chief Minister and had responsibility for the Centenary of Canberra celebrations in 2013. Before returning to Wollongong, Jeremy was CEO of the National Australia Day Council (including the Australian of the Year Awards) and head of communications for the Australian Federal Police. He’s currently volunteering on the YES23 campaign.