Shepparton experienced an overcast referendum day on Saturday, October 14, where local community members had mixed feelings as they made their way to various polling stations across the city.
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The referendum on the Indigenous Voice referendum brought out optimism among the Greater Shepparton residents in both the Yes and No campaigns.
News cadet Caleb Francis visited some polling stations, capturing a snapshot of the community’s thoughts on this significant day.
Brendan Magee
Why did you vote Yes?
I believe it’s a fairly minor ask as far as the Indigenous population is concerned. It won’t have any impact on non-Indigenous Australians.
It’s just a respectful thing to grant them their request to be recognised as the first citizens and to have a voice. I don’t see how it harms anyone else.
So I just think it’s a no-brainer; everyone should be voting Yes. But unfortunately, because it’s a bipartisan issue, it’s turned into a political s***-fight, so it’s probably not going to happen.
What would it mean if the referendum doesn’t go through?
I feel really sorry for Indigenous Australians because, if it is a No vote, I think they’ll feel really disappointed and sort of abandoned by the Australian population.
I wouldn’t like to be an Indigenous Australian at the moment because I think they’ve made a reasonable request, and it looks like we’re going to say no.
Frankie Doig
Why did you vote Yes?
I really think that voting Yes is the bare minimum. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have asked for this to be part of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
I think that to be able to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first peoples of Australia in the Constitution is a really important step forward.
I obviously don’t think this is the solution. I don’t think this is the end; I don’t think it’s perfect, but I think if 80 per cent of the people who are affected by this are voting Yes then the bare minimum that we can do is vote Yes as well.
What would it mean if the referendum doesn’t go through?
I think it’s a step backward, and my heart would break a bit, especially for my Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander friends.
I think that a lot of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have faced a lot of racism in the last few months, and I think that a No vote would really be a slap in the face.
Barry Bell
Why did you vote No?
I think it’s divisive; it’s racist, and I’ve got lots of Aboriginal friends and acquaintances — all of them voting no.
What would it mean if the referendum doesn’t go through?
I can’t see any good coming from it. Dividing people by race is just the wrong thing to do. We’re all the same; we all bleed red.
I don’t agree with people who say that those who are voting No are racist, not at all.
My grandkids have dark skin; one of my best mates at school was Aboriginal. That’s a lot of nonsense, so much nonsense. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, and I respect everyone’s opinion, but a lot of people in the Yes camp want to deny everyone an opinion.
Local Aboriginal woman Jane Britten voted Yes.
Why did you vote Yes?
Because it’s very important for our people to have a say.
I worked for the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service. I’ve worked very hard for our youth and our people, and we should make decisions, not the government.
I’ve worked at Rumbalara, for many of our organisations, and I’ve also worked mainstream. So I see the difference in our wages. We get the qualifications, and as soon as we go to work in our organisations, our pay just drops. So we’re not equal.
I have a grandson who’s one (year old), and he’s got fair skin, and I want him to be proud to say he’s Aboriginal.
What would it mean if the referendum doesn’t go through?
We will still keep fighting. We’ve survived for over 250 years. We’ve grown up battling, trying to survive. But it’s a long ride. It doesn’t mean we give up the fight. I know my daughter will keep fighting, and then my grandson will after that.
Dr Janet Congues
Why did you vote Yes?
I voted Yes because I believe it’s time for non-Indigenous Australia to fully embrace our First Nations people.
Our First Nations people make up 3 per cent of the population, and I don’t want to be the one having the say over what they can and cannot do. To recognise them in our Constitution through this advisory body is a great way to continue to hand over power for them to address their own needs and what they want to do.
It shouldn’t be the responsibility of non-Indigenous people to say what they (Indigenous Australians) can and cannot say.
What would it mean if the referendum doesn’t go through?
I’ll be devastated. It just reinforces how racist we can be as a nation.
I want to recognise our First Nations people; they are part of our history and make us who we are as Australians.
It’s about time we recognise them.
But yes, I will be devastated, and even more so it concerns me how our Indigenous family and friends will feel.
Cadet Journalist