As the referendum to establish an Indigenous Voice to Parliament is drawing closer, one Kiama resident has taken it upon herself to turn what has become a hugely divisive issue into a positive for the community.

Anna Tydd is a solicitor, policy advisory and restorative justice facilitator who has lived in Kiama for 14 years. As a vocal supporter of the ‘Yes’ vote, Anna decided to promote the movement herself by printing out her own badges, keyrings and t-shirts to sell across Kiama. She sells them at the Kiama Farmers Markets on Wednesday and at Fillmore's cafe.

She is also selling tea towels and bags made by Boomerang Bags from textiles she donated.

Anna initially signed up a handful of stores around Kiama to sell ‘Yes’ merchandise, but they had to pull out after staff were harassed for promoting a political cause.

All of the proceeds for Anna’s products will go towards the Healing Foundation, an organisation that provides a platform to amplify the voices and lived experiences of the survivors of the Stolen Generation and their families. The Healing Foundation promotes trauma-informed, survivor-centred healing to help the government and other policymakers understand their role in intergenerational healing.

This cause is particularly close to Anna’s heart, who has worked as a lawyer in restorative justice for the past 20 years. During that time, Anna has largely worked with people that have experienced sexual harm and other harm in institutional contexts. She has also worked on several Royal Commissions in Australia, New Zealand and Ireland. In early 2023, Anna started her own consultancy business called OneResolve to continue this work.

“Sadly, the rate of harm experienced by Indigenous people in institutional and familial contexts is disturbingly high,” Anna told The Bugle. 

“I have worked with many Indigenous survivors of the Stolen Generation who were placed in institutional care, and were harmed, by those who were supposed to be caring for them. The Voice to Parliament is a clear opportunity to break the silence that has endured since colonisation.”

Anna will be selling her merch on Wednesdays at the Kiama Farmers Market from 2-5pm.

Anna would like to extend a huge thank you to Trish from the Farmers Market and Fillmores for supporting her cause, as well as Leonie, Marg and Liz from Boomerang Bags for their dedication in providing the bags for sale.