On Tuesday evening a packed out crowd gathered at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in Meeanjin to join in a discussion titled Changing the Conversation: Uluru Statement from the Heart, hosted by Multicultural Australia.
The inaugural event with QPAC is the first of many important discussions aimed at helping all Australians to be better informed ahead of the planned referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
The panel was comprised of MC, proud Wuthathi and Meriam man Jordan Paul Janke; Gangalu man Mick Gooda; Multicultural Australia CEO Christine Castley; Dr Shireen Morris; Brisbane Lions midfielder Callum Ah Chee; Cobble Cobble woman Allira Davis; Elijah Buol OAM; and Kym Korbe, RAP Manager at UnitingCare Queensland.
The events proceedings were opened with a traditional smoking ceremony and welcome to country by Yuggera Traditional Owners.
Mr Janke then introduced the incredibly talented and diverse 'Mosaic Multicultural Choir' who sung Shosoloza; a Ndebele folk song that originated in what is now Zimbabwe but was popularised in South Africa, and Australian classic, 'From Little Things, Big Things Grow by Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody - a touching ballad that tells the story of the proud Gurindji people and their stand against the might of the cattle baron, Lord Vestey.
Early on the audience heard from Ms Castley who delivered a moving introduction making it clear that Multicultural Australia supports the Uluru Statement and the Voice to Parliament and encourages the rest of Australia to back the movement also.
"The Uluru Statement is remarkable for its language of peace and friendship, caring for country and people," Ms Castley said.
"And it's invitation to walk together in a movement of the Australian people for a better future together.
"As an immigrant, I am grateful for the opportunities that this country has offered to me.
"Multicultural Australia stands as an ally to the first nations people of this country. We accept the invitation to walk towards a better future and we look forward to the important conversations that we will have on this journey together."
When questioned about why this referendum is so important Mr Gooda noted that "we've been fighting for constitutional recognition for so long, and when the forefathers of this nation drafted the constitution, we didn't have a say".
"We were mentioned a couple time but it was always about taking things away from us," he said.
"The power of referendums is so great, because it's when the people speak, not the politicians. The time for sitting on the fence has come and gone."
As the panel chopped and changed questions, we heard a similar sentiment echoing throughout the discussion and the absolute consensus was that a YES vote sometime in October means Australia can continue progressing forwards as a multicultural society that acknowledges the Voice of First Nations peoples.
The next panel discussion will be held on Wednesday 14th of June, and everyone is encouraged to attend.
