TO THE HONOURABLE TEACHER MRS STEWART

                             OF MACARTHUR ANGLICAN SCHOOL

  This petition of Macarthur Anglican citizens of 6S draws to the attention of the class the significant event of the 1967 Referendum in Australia. It is imperative that an exhibit on the 1967 Referendum be included in our class museum.

  The 1967 Referendum in Australia was held on 27 May. When Australia became a Federation in 1901 the Constitution (rule book) for the Australian Commonwealth was established. At this time Aboriginals and Torres Straight Islanders were deemed part of the Australian flora and fauna and not counted as citizens of our nation. After 10 years of petitioning the government, the Australian people were finally given the the opportunity to vote yes or no to the constitution being amended in Section 51 and 127, recognising Indigenous people as equal citizens. This was a symbolic turning point in Australia’s history which saw 90% of voting Australians overwhelmingly support the change to the constitution and end years of discrimination. It was a significant step towards reconciliation.

  The exhibit displays an influential piece of Australia’s history through the use of quality sources such as the National Museum of Australia, Australian Screen, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Clips from Aboriginal activists and Australian Government sites. Whilst this is not a positive piece of Australian History, students should be taught about the Constitution and how it has changed over time in relation to the Indigenous people of our Country. There was a time in our history when records were kept of white Australian population numbers, cattle and even kangaroos. Yet we have no official record of how many Indigenous people were alive at that time. It was thought the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander race would die out or be breed out. Therefore, State electorate numbers should not be effected by including Indigenous people. Indigenous people were not provided for with much needed resources for education or health. Can you believe that they could not even leave the country due to the inability to obtain a passport, as they were not a citizen!

  Whilst completing the Census this month, the issue of the accuracy of our Constitution is again raised. I feel that the students of 6S should understand the Constitution, changes made in 1967 and be informed participants in possible future changes which recognise the traditional landowners. If this were to be a quality museum we would include this invaluable piece of Australian history. 6S students are the future generation to lead this Country and continue to bridge our nation together as we acknowledge the wrong doings of our countries past, we must move to a positive future.  

  We therefore ask the Class to accept and display a 1967 Referendum exhibit produced by Paris Williams into the class museum. 

PRINCIPAL PETITIONER

Name: Paris Williams