In 1967 a referendum was held to change the Australian constitution so that Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander people were finally counted as citizens in their own land.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the referendum, Sutherland Shire Library is holding a free event, My Journey: 1967 Referendum Memories.
The event includes a screening of the documentary The Fair Go, accompanied by stories of the referendum’s significance from local Aboriginal elder, Deanna Schreiber.
The Fair Go movie documents the 10 year campaign to change the Australian constitution so that Indigenous people were counted in the census and that the Commonwealth – not states – had the power to make laws.
Told through personal interviews and rare archival footage, The Fair Go details the efforts of the people who helped change the Constitution including Faith Bandler, Chicka Dixon, Kim Beazley Senior, Charles Perkins, Evelyn Scott, Sir Anthony Mason and many others.
In her talk Deanna will share memories about her life before the referendum when her parents lived on a mission and when she was the only Aboriginal girl at high school.
“When the referendum happened, I was already married and had a baby. My daughter was three,” Deanna said.
“Getting the vote was a positive thing.
“By getting the vote we were counted in the census, but it took a long time to do other things outside of the vote.
“We got the vote, but we didn't get our freedom.”
Deanna said there are still barriers that need to be broken down.
“Part of my job is to break down those barriers and share my culture through events like My Journey at Sutherland library.”
Sutherland Shire Mayor, Carmelo Pesce said it is hard to believe that just 50 years ago members of the oldest civilisation in the world were not recognised as citizens in their own land.
“We are grateful to Deanna Schreiber as well as Kurranulla Aboriginal Corporation for supporting this event and providing the Sutherland Shire community with the opportunity to learn more about our collective history,” Cr Pesce said.
My Journey: 1967 Referendum Memories will be held at Sutherland Library on Saturday, May 27 from 1.30pm to 3.30pm.
Kurranulla Aboriginal Corporation will provide a display of authentic Aboriginal artworks painted by local Aboriginal artists from the Sutherland Shire and St George area available for purchase.
This is a free event but bookings are essential.
- Call 9710 0351 or book online at sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/library.
