The City of Sydney is stepping up its support for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament by hosting a series of public workshops and sponsoring venue hire costs for community groups hosting events.
Walking together workshops
Seven educational Walking together workshops to learn more about the importance of a Voice to Parliament will be held throughout August.
The free, three-hour workshops will take place at venues in the city centre, Glebe and Alexandria.
“Education is the key and we’re building a strong network of people who are educated on the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the Voice to Parliament,” workshop presenter, Jacqui Parker said.
“By grounding the workshops firmly in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, non-Indigenous Australians gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the importance of a Voice. We’ll also cover how people and organisations can work towards the establishment of a Voice and how to take meaningful action towards reconciliation.”
“So far thousands of people have attended the Walking Together workshops and training programs,” co-founder and facilitator of the Walking Together project, Nicole Laupepa said.
“I share my lived experience to not only give meaning to the key components addressed in the Uluru Statement from the Heart but in hope that all Australians will now accept the invitation and walk together with my people towards a better future.”
At the four Walking together towards reconciliation workshops, participants will learn about the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and how a Voice to Parliament will improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
Three Walking together educator training sessions will also take place for workshop graduates eager to confidently talk to their networks and communities about the Uluru Statement from the Heart. This program gives participants resources and knowledge to establish initiatives that will increase the community’s understanding of the Voice to Parliament and promote a yes vote in the upcoming referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian Constitution.
The first Walking together towards reconciliation workshop is 5.30pm Wednesday 9 August at Sydney Town Hall.
Visit whatson.sydney/voice to see a full schedule and to book your free spot at an upcoming workshop.
“We resolved to support the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2018 and now we’re stepping up our support for a yes vote in the upcoming referendum,” Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO said.
“We’re hosting large-scale events at central venues so that people who work and live in the local area can get informed ahead of the upcoming referendum.
“Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the constitution through a consultative body called the Voice to Parliament is a sensible step forward for Australia.
“Voting in this referendum is a special responsibility that we all share and we want people to be informed.”
Support for venue hire
The City of Sydney is also offering venue hire support for up to three recognised community organisations to host free public events in support of the yes campaign at its landmark venues such as Sydney Town Hall and Paddington Town Hall.
Regardless of their position on the referendum, groups can also apply to use smaller City of Sydney community venues, which includes fee waivers for eligible bodies.
Visit news.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au to find out about venue sponsorships and fee waivers for Voice events.
Sydney Come Together for Yes event
Supported by the City of Sydney, the Sydney Come Together for Yes event is from 11am to 2pm on Sunday 2 July at Prince Alfred Park, Surry Hills.
The family-friendly event is an opportunity for people to get informed about the importance of the referendum and will feature stalls, information sessions, sports clinics for children, music and dance performances, picnics and speeches.
Find out more at action.yes23.com.au/sydney_come_together_for_yes
More on the City of Sydney’s support for the voice is at city.sydney/voice
Authorised by Clover Moore in Sydney on behalf of Sydney City Council.
For media enquiries, phone Elaine Kelly 0477 362 550 or email ekelly@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For interviews with Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney contact Zoe Delamare. Phone 0477 263 615 or email zdelamare@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au