Function recognises 40th anniversary of referendum

More than 80 people attended a function to recognise 40 years since the 1967 Referendum at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) last night (Wednesday, June 6 2007).

In the only referendum that successfully ordered two changes simultaneously, the 1967 Referendum saw more than 90 per cent of eligible Australians vote YES to count Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in the national census of the population and to give the Commonwealth Government power to make specific laws in respect of Indigenous people.

Guests were entertained by Michael Brown on didgeridoo and heard a traditional welcome from Mr Brian Turbane.

USQ Vice Chancellor and President Professor Bill Lovegrove said at the time of the referendum he had expectations of what a YES vote would mean.

'I assumed all Australians would have a much fairer go,' Professor Lovegrove said.

40 years on as a university USQ has a responsibility not only for the education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people but for society in general about Indigenous affairs, he said.

'As a university we are about social justice and education. Not just education of individuals but of society. The real responsibility is to become involved in the education of society about Indigenous Australians.'

There is still a lot of progress to be made to improve the current situation in Indigenous affairs, Professor Lovegrove said.

'Despite the statistics we have some wonderful stories. The challenge is to build on the stories of success and make those the rule, not the exception.'

Guest speaker from the University of Canberra, the 2007 Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Senior Australian of the Year Dr Kaye Price (pictured with Barbara Lawrence), spoke of her memories of 1967 and the referendum.

'I remember the time back then, there were all these things going on. When the news came through about the YES vote it was just pure elation. I voted for the first time in that referendum. I rejoiced at that YES vote.

'The referendum was the result of many years of campaigning by the Aboriginal Progressive Association and the Progressive League. They asked for citizenship rights and access to education for their children,' Dr Price said.

'Things came after the referendum like Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people being included in decision making processes and giving advice. But it hasn't changed the statistics.'

Media Contact: Jane Urquhart USQ Media +61 7 4631 2559