By YES23 supporter Jeremy Lasek
This last week I was fortunate to catch up with the YES campaign team in the Top End during a flying visit to Darwin where I enjoyed a fun, informative afternoon at the annual Darwin Show.
The YES stand at the Show had a steady stream of visitors while I was there.
The Darwin YES campaign coordinator, Georgia Currie, has a background working in health care.
"I know all the numbers and statistics and what we’ve been doing in Aboriginal health hasn’t been working," Georgia said.
"We need to use the referendum to draw a line in the sand and start again by empowering our mob to be heard."
Georgia said the YES show stand was a great way to engage with Territorians from all walks of life.
"We’re here to share information, not to tell people how to vote. I’m liking the quiet support from those who see us. There have been so many smiles, nods and thumbs up. It’s a positive vibe."
Ailsa Purdon, another Darwin YES volunteer, has worked in Aboriginal communities teaching education and languages for more than 40 years.
"It’s really important that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people have access to improved policies and programs," Ailsa said.
The South African experience
Ailsa’s husband, Fezile, migrated to Australia from South Africa in 1990.
"As a person who came from a country suffering under apartheid, I’ve seen the effects of people being marginalised and excluded, much as we are seeing in parts of Australia," Fezile said.
"For generations people have lived through a cycle of poverty which impedes people getting access to proper health care, education, and employment opportunities.
"What’s been done to date by governments hasn’t worked to close the gap. Policies are made without consultation and it just makes sense to listen to the people who are directly affected which should lead to new approaches to these ongoing problems."
The need for new solutions
Another YES volunteer, Nikki Jeffries has spent many years in Aboriginal communities assisting young people.
"To be honest, Canberra has no idea of the issues out here," Nikki said. "Our way is not the only way."
Her words echoed by Sarah Combe who has worked in remote East Arnhem Land.
"I’ve seen first-hand in remote communities when there’s Aboriginal engagement there are nearly always better outcomes.
"I’ve also seen so many approaches that haven’t worked when they’ve come from elsewhere, namely Canberra," Sarah said.
While there may be very few similarities between Wollongong and Darwin, what both have in common are passionate individuals looking for long-term solutions to problems that have existed for more than 200 years.
We can’t just throw our hands in the air and give up on the challenges facing our Indigenous community, nor can we just continue ‘business as usual’. It’s not working.
That’s why YES volunteers are mobilising all over Australia, and our numbers are growing, in the hope we can build a stronger foundation for our diverse nation, upholding unity and demonstrating respect.