With less than two weeks until the next Voice to Parliament referendum, a number of Greek-Australians, representing a range of organisations, have come together to hold an informative debate on what this entails and why it matters.
The event was held at the Marrickville Pavilion (located on the Marrickville Library grounds) last Saturday afternoon, featuring a panel of speakers discussing their views on the Voice.
It was organized by a number of community groups, independent of the Yes or No campaigns, with support also from the Inner West Council who provided the Pavilion as a location.
Community groups included the Ethnic Community Services Co-operative, Addison Road Community Centre, Inner Sydney Voice, Canterbury City Community Center and BEH Legal Services.
The public meeting saw six speakers speak on the subject of the Voice to Parliament referendum, scheduled for October 14.
The first speaker was Mark Buttigieg, Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council for the Australian Labor Party and currently Parliamentary Secretary for Industrial Relations, Workplace Health and Safety and Multiculturalism.
Mr. Buttigieg, whose wife is of Greek descent, stressed that “the point of these rallies is that when we leave here today, we are talking to people who are not convinced.”
He highlighted the importance of establishing the Voice as a way to ensure governments listen to First Nations people on issues that directly affect them.
“Constitutional recognition will enshrine the need to listen to our indigenous peoples. If we as a modern, multicultural, diverse society cannot bring ourselves to do that, well, in my opinion, we are not a society, we are not a nation.
Nareen Young, Professor of Indigenous Policy at the UTS Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and Research, who leads the highly innovative Center for Research and Practice on Indigenous Peoples and Jumbunna Work, said very clearly: “We we just want recognition in our own country.”
“I don’t know of a community better placed to do this, that has such recognition of its own ethnicity and such a deep connection to your country. We want you to be part of this change for us,” Professor Young said.
Esta Paschalidis-Chilas, CEO of the City of Canterbury Community Center and President of the Federation of Pontian Associations of Australia, shared the empathy she feels for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who, like many people from his Pontian roots, were displaced from their homes.
“I have always believed that the best solutions are developed with people who will actually get results from them. The Voice will give First Nations people the opportunity to influence decisions that will get them the outcomes they want,” said Ms Paschalidis-Chilas, granddaughter of Greek refugees from Pontos.
Kay Pavlou, an award-winning documentary and theater director, born in Australia and of Cypriot parents, concluded her speech by saying that this referendum represents another example in which Hellenes can use a singular word to have considerable historical impact.
Tony Konelidis (right) and Themi Kallos. Photo: Supplied
Kay Pavlou gives him space. Photo: Supplied
It’s Paschalidis. Photo: Supplied
Theodora Goanniotis-Minas during her presentation. Photo: Supplied
“Greeks celebrate Όχι Day, saying no to fascists during World War II. October 14 is not a day of no, it is a day of yes,” said Ms. Pavlou.
Theodora Gianniotis-Minas was the final official speaker and she used her time to clarify some concerns some have regarding The Voice.
“The Voice has no right of veto, it will only give advice,” said the director of BEH Legal and lawyer with a master’s degree in environmental law specializing in cultural heritage.
Ms Gianniotis-Minas, who is also a development manager at the Australian Archaeological Institute in Athens, explained how Greeks had radically different experiences in this country compared to First Nations people.
“When we came to this country, we were considered people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were still made up of flora and fauna. When the Greeks came to Australia they allowed you to vote. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people could not vote until the 1967 referendum,” she said.
“When you arrived, they let you look after your children. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have had their children stolen from them: the Stolen Generations.
In addition to her clarifications on The Voice, Ms. Gianniotis-Minas also shed light on the correct method of voting in the referendum, the need to write the full word “Yes” or “No” on the ballot paper for this to happen. account.
Following the speeches, Tony Kontellis, former professional wrestler and Greek competitor in the 1956 Olympics, was invited to share his experiences witnessing the harsh realities that First Nations people face.
He said emphatically: “We must hear the voices of the first Australians”, while emphasizing the need to teach their languages in order to preserve this aspect of their culture.
The event also included a recording of the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart read in Greek, as well as a Q&A session allowing guests to ask the panel questions about the upcoming referendum.
The public meeting was moderated by Themi Kallos, executive producer of SBS Radio Greek language program.
