RAIN did not deter an intergenerational volunteer team from its door-knocking campaign to rally support for the upcoming referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
“I might have over 50 years on these two young volunteers, but I was the one on the learning end,” retiree Maureen Donelly, of Mornington, said after the Saturday 12 August effort.
“I was truly inspired by their passion and commitment to a just future.
“Back in our day, we learnt nothing about the history of injustices against the First Peoples, just that Captain Cook claimed an uninhabited land.
“I think if all people my age learnt more about the truth, they would understand why many young people want a reconciled future and will be voting Yes.”
Fin Fowler and Flynn Goerlitz saw the door knocking as a “cross-generational experience”.
“Even though we can’t all vote in the upcoming referendum, we want to live in a country that is fairer and more reconciled,” Fowler said.
“From our point of view the door knocking was an opportunity to engage with people, irrespective of age, and to do our bit to make sure voters in the referendum have the real facts to make an informed decision.”
Goerlitz said they “will be out their again, rain, hail or shine” as the referendum was “so important”.
“We encourage all people young, old or otherwise to get involved.”
First published in the Mornington News – 22 August 2023
