Convoy to Gurindji

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a long history of strength and resilience. The 1966 Wave Hill Walk Off, also known as the Gurindji Strike, led by Uncle Vincent Lingiari is the longest strike in Australian history, lasting 7 years. 

Celebrating at the Gurindji Freedom Day Festival offers us a moment to draw strength on our own advocacy journeys. To connect the stories of what our country was to what our country has the potential to be. As young people, we choose to stand up and prepare to receive the torch being passed down from our elders and our community leaders. It is our role to ensure that we remember what has come before and embrace the future that we aim to build.  

Prior to the Freedom Day Festival, a convoy of young people will depart from Cairns and begin the trek to Kalkarindji, stopping at certain locations such as Mt Isa and Katherine. Throughout the journey, participants will be building their knowledge on the Uluru Statement and will grow in confidence and in strength to engage with and educate the wider community about the statement. We embark on this trek, leaving our homelands to connect and share the movement that will unite all Australians. A referendum for a First Nations Voice in 2023.  

Coming Soon

Youth for a Voice is a committee of empowered Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people who wholly support the Uluru Statement from the Heart and are passionate about educating our community on the statements first call to action, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice enshrined in the Australian Constitution. We are empowered by DIYDG’s ‘Get Up, Stand Up’ program. 

We envision a day where we live in a country where our voices as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are heard, valued, and respected. 

Our mission is to inspire, equip, and empower young people to use their voices to agitate change and achieve constitutional reform in the next anticipated referendum. 

We initially formed a small group after completing Uluru Statement from the Heart Advocacy Training delivered by DIYDG mid-2021. We were all inspired and empowered to do more than just being educated so we dedicated many weekends to co-write a letter to former Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt. After finalising the letter, we had a short period to gather as many signatures as we can. This led to members driving around town after our evening meeting and compiling as many signatures as possible from their own connections. A total of 48 signatures were compiled in complete support of the letter. This was when Youth for a Voice was born. 

Our committee meets regularly and discusses events which can be organised to educate our community on the Uluru Statements from the Heart, with a specific focus on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.  

We utilise our meetings to brainstorm, plan, and engage in discussion about the statement and an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. In January 2022, Youth for a Voice hosted an Uluru Statement from the Heart Advocacy Training Day, open to all young people, to introduce or expand their knowledge on the statement. One participant had never heard of the statement and enjoyed learning about its importance and how they can spread the information they learned with the people around them.  

We draw strength and inspiration from our elders and those who have come before us in advocating for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights. 

In June 2022, we had the honour of listening and engaging in discussion with Beth Hansen who was a participant in the 1965 Freedom Rides in New South Wales. She was a key member in the planning of the ride and was heavily involved with the Student Action for Aborigines (SAFA) with Charles Perkins. We were given great advice that will be treasured as we undergo our own advocacy journey. 

Being full of passion and excitement, Youth for a Voice has an abundance of ideas on how to educate our community and we hold optimism for a constitutionally enshrined Voice. Stay connected and informed on our journey by connecting with us on Instagram.