On the 14th of October 2023, Australians were asked to vote on a proposal to change the wording in the constitution 'To recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.’ Only 39.9 per cent of legal votes were in favour of this change, and there was not a majority in any of the six Australian States (there was a majority, however, in the Australian Capital Territory). On the 26th June, 2023 Councillors with the The City of Greater Bendigo discussed their position on The Voice to Parliament and decided to support the Yes campaign while pledging to provide information on both sides of the debate to residents. Cr Margaret O’Rourke introduced the motion and spoke at length about the importance for Council to adopt the recommendation. “Recognising the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice in the constitution ensures that Indigenous Australians have a direct and meaningful role in shaping policies and laws that impact them'. Several Councillors voiced their concern over whether the City could formally support one side of the debate, while seeking to provide neutral information saying that it did not pass the commonsense test. These badges were collected at an event at Rosalind Park on the 27th of September, 2023 attended by Linda Burney, Minister for Indigenous Australians who addressed the crowd.Large badges with YES printed in centre. city of greater bendigo reconcilliation, dja dja wurrung

On the 14th of October 2023, Australians were asked to vote on a proposal to change the wording in the constitution 'To recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.’ Only 39.9 per cent of legal votes were in favour of this change, and there was not a majority in any of the six Australian States (there was a majority, however, in the Australian Capital Territory). On the 26th June, 2023 Councillors with the The City of Greater Bendigo discussed their position on The Voice to Parliament and decided to support the Yes campaign while pledging to provide information on both sides of the debate to residents. Cr Margaret O’Rourke introduced the motion and spoke at length about the importance for Council to adopt the recommendation. 'Recognising the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice in the constitution ensures that Indigenous Australians have a direct and meaningful role in shaping policies and laws that impact them'. Several Councillor's voiced their concern over whether the City could formally support one side of the debate, while seeking to provide neutral information saying that it did not pass the commonsense test. This t shirt was worn by Jess Bridgfoot Director of the Bendigo Art Gallery at an event to support the referendum campaign and Linda Burney's visit to Bendigo on the 23rd September 2023. Linda Burney who was at that time Minister for Indigenous Australians addressed the crowd at this event which took place adjacent to the Bendigo sign at Rosalind Park. Black cotton tee shirt with "dja" printed in yellow in centre over a red indigenous circular design. "Write Yes" is printed in yellow on red below. city of greater bendigo reconcilliation, dja dja wurrung