Lesley Chenoweth AO
Growing up in a provincial town in Queensland in the 50s and 60s, I met Aboriginal people from a very young age. Several women came to help my mother with “the house” but became part of our family life. Old Aunties exuding quiet dignity and kindness. At 3-4 years of age I was in awe of them, especially Grannie who smoked a clay pipe. But intuitively I sensed these were wise women to be respected. When I was older in my early teens, younger women needing work and often living in difficult circumstances came to be in our lives.
It was much later, when my studies and work brought me to working in community health and human services that I was starkly confronted with the reality of oppression and racism. Despite all the programs aimed at closing the gap, most of our efforts were in vain. First Nations people were still over-represented in child protection, criminal justice systems, had higher infant mortality rates and rates of chronic disease.
Much later in my career, in universities, there were real opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to pursue studies and gain degrees. Most of the students I worked alongside were women. Women who juggled families and their community alongside their studies, often facing, seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Yet they prevailed and have become colleagues and friends. It was through these relationships that I came to appreciate and celebrate what it means to live in a country that is home to the oldest living culture on the planet.
This country is at a crossroads. The referendum to establish a Voice presents every one of us with a chance to create a new partnership with First Nations people, to start a new journey together and build a better future for all of us. The change in the wording of our Constitution is the first step.
At a personal level saying YES is important for my children and grandchildren but as a citizen I see it as crucial for our whole nation.