A concert to promote the “Yes” vote to support an Indigenous Voice to Parliament was held in Hindmarsh Park on Sunday 8 October 2023, organised by the Kiama Yes23 group. 

Over 300 people gathered to hear a range of speakers and musical acts in support of the ‘Yes’ vote in the referendum which is to be held on Saturday 14 October. ‘Yes’ cupcakes and information about voting were available in a stall near the Orry Kelly stage.

Aunty Gwenda Jarrett opened the proceedings speaking about what the referendum means to her, which was followed by Uncle Stan Jarrett on the didgeridoo and Rachel Morgan reading the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full. 

Further entertainment included The Black Swans, a young vocal group from Lake Illawarra. Benn Gunn performed his song, ‘Let Their Voice Be Heard’ before leading the Pride Choir in John Farnham’s iconic song, The Voice. The Pride Choir then led the crowd in, ‘From Little Things Big Things Grow.’

A highlight was young Macson on didgeridoo with The Water Runners closing out the afternoon.

One of the organisers, Karen Forsyth said “The organisers were thrilled to see so many people across the community come together in the spirit of unity.”

According to the Australian Electoral Commission, more than a third of enrolled voters have already voted, the highest early vote on record and higher than the early vote at the most recent federal election.

The Bugle visited pre-polling stations on a number of occasions and observed only one support volunteer for the ‘No’ campaign, and up to a dozen volunteers or more for the ‘Yes’ campaign. The ‘Vote Yes’ signs are seen in many streets in the Kiama LGA with very few ‘Vote No’ signs, if any.

However, history has shown that most referendums fail, and the current polls are showing a majority of voters across Australia support the No campaign.

The breakdown of the most recent YouGov polls shows

•  No is leading amongst Coalition Voters by 73% to 22%,

• Yes leads among Labor voters 49% to 41% 

•  Yes leads among Green voters 70% to 24%.

Michael Bowden, one of the supporters of the Yes campaign, is still looking forward to the future with hope.

“Currently, Australia has the highest number of indigenous, youth and overall voters enrolled in our history,” says Michael. “You can’t always predict the future by looking to the past, progressive politics always wants to create something better than the past.”

Early polling in Kiama is held at the Kiama Uniting Church hall, from 8am to 6pm until Saturday 14 October where polling booths will open up in Kiama at the following locations.

On Saturday 14 October polling booths will be open in Kiama, Gerringong and Jamberoo areas at:

• Kiama High School, Saddleback Mountain Road
• Kiama Uniting Church Worship Hall in Manning Street
• Minnamurra Public School, Charles Ave Minnamurra
• Werri Beach Progress Hall Pacific Avenue Werri Beach
• Jamberoo Public School Churchill Street Jamberoo
• Gerringong Town Hall Fern Street Gerringong 
• Gerroa Neighbourhood Centre Stafford Street Gerroa

The election will be conducted under the same rules as a Federal election. As an enrolled voter, you will be handed a ballot paper where you will be asked to write YES or NO in the blank space to the following question.

“A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Do you approve this proposed alteration?”

The Lines to be inserted in the Constitution are the following

“Chapter IX Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

129 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice

In recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia:

1. there shall be a body, to be called the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice;
2. the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice may make representations to the Parliament and the Executive Government of the Commonwealth on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
3. the Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws with respect to matters relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice, including its composition, functions, powers and procedures.”