Referendum date announced
Now is the time to join others in actions to support a Yes to healing and hope.
August 30, 2023
The Uniting Church in Australia welcomes the announcement of 14 October as the date for the referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress National Interim Chair Rev Mark Kickett said today, “This is an exciting opportunity for the nation to come together as one and for First Nations people to finally be heard.”
“14th October will be an opportunity for all of us – First and Second Peoples – to take a step toward healing and reconciliation, and at the same time, provide a foundation for hope."
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.
“The Bible calls us to be sincere with love. To live in harmony with one another. The invitation of the referendum is to do better at how we care for one another.”
“14th October will be an opportunity for all of us – First and Second Peoples – to take a step toward healing and reconciliation with our past, and at the same time, provide a foundation for hope.”
Uniting Church President Rev Sharon Hollis encouraged Uniting Church members and all Australians to get involved and to engage in respectful and positive conversations in the lead up to the referendum.
“Now is the time to embrace this incredible opportunity to recognise and commit to listening to 60,000 plus years of history, culture, spirituality and wisdom. We know we can improve outcomes if we commit to hearing from First Nations people on issues impacting their lives and communities.”
“This will be a practical and powerful step forward of which we can all be proud. I encourage all Australians to vote yes to healing and hope.”
Do you want to get more involved with other UCA people in actions to support a Yes vote?
This is a new opportunity in the final 45 days of the referendum to get involved in more activities and share with us what you are already doing.
Don't forget, you can find all our resources at uniting.church/voice.
Related news
A tribute to Rev Dr Gondarra
‘Holistic spirituality’: a tribute to Rev Dr Gondarra OAM This is the reflection given by Rev Steve Orme at the State Memorial for Rev Dr Gondarra OAMThis short reflection was given by Uniting Church minister Rev Steve Orme at the State Memorial Service for Rev Dr Gondarra OAM Held in the grounds of Nungalinya College,…
Submissions due: proposed Truth and Justice Commission
Deadline looming to make your submission on proposed Truth and Justice Commission The Bill is before a Senate Inquiry and you can make your voice heard until 20 SeptemberPlease note the deadline has been extended and submissions now close 20 September. The deadline is looming for submissions to a current parliamentary inquiry into a Bill…
State memorial to honour Rev Dr Gondarra OAM
State memorial to honour Rev Dr Gondarra OAM A service will take place this Thursday at Nungalinya College in Darwin to honour the trailblazing Yolŋu elder who died in JuneA state memorial will be held this week for Rev Dr Gondarra OAM, senior Yolŋu lawman, pioneering Aboriginal leader and Uniting Church minister, who died in…
NAIDOC Week 2024
Five ways to celebrate NAIDOC Week 2024 From this Sunday 7 July until 14 July, Australians will mark NAIDOC Week, an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The 2024 NAIDOC Week theme is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud. The theme honours…
How can you stand with Congress into the future?
How can you stand with Congress into the future? As she prepares to conclude her Presidency, Rev Sharon Hollis reflect on 30 years of the Covenant and shares her hopes for the future, calling upon the Church to stand with Congress by embodying the Covenant relationship across faith, church life and missionSubscribe to our newsletterIf…
Living the Covenant into the future
Living the Covenant into the future Congress leaders share their hopes for the future of the Covenant, including for self-determination, the sustainability of Congress and for First and Second Peoples to walk together in a journey of justiceSubscribe to our newsletterIf you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then…
Vale Rev Dr Gondarra
Vale Rev Dr Gondarra We pay tribute to one of the architects of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and to his trailblazing, visionary lifewritten by Bethany Broadstock with Stuart McMillan Please note the name Rev Dr Gondarra OAM and his image have been used in accordance with the wishes of his family. Aboriginal…
Marking 30 Years of the Covenant
Marking 30Years of the Covenant Congress and Church leaders, past and present, reflect on the Covenant and the revised Preamble’s role in relationship between First and Second PeoplesSubscribe to our newsletterIf you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.”The Covenant…