National Day of Thanksgiving
Reverend the Hon. Dr GORDON MOYES: As members may know, Saturday 26 May was the National Day of Thanksgiving. This was an important day because Australians were called on to think about, and give thanks for, people who make their lives special, people such as those involved in the aforementioned Police Force, the Fire Brigades, the Rural Fire Brigades and others. The two words “thank you” can be some of the most neglected words in our daily lives. But their power and effect on the lives of those we thank should never be underestimated. Last weekend I had the privilege of being invited to speak at various National Day of Thanksgiving rallies in the township of Moree. I was greatly honoured to speak to many different audiences—from community leaders to indigenous leaders, church pastors, business people and many other citizens.
It was wonderful to join hands in saying “thank you” to the many people who make up our social fabric. More than 2,000 people attended the six public meetings I addressed. One of the most memorable gatherings was the one organised for Sunday morning 27 May. It was also Pentecost Sunday, Christian Unity Sunday and the culmination of 24 hours of prayer for one week by the Moree community. But, most important, it was the fortieth anniversary of the 1967 referendum—one of the most important days for modern indigenous people—and the fifteenth anniversary of the Mabo decision. The gathering paid homage to a very special event 40 years ago, the date when the 1967 federal referendum was held. Members will know that the 1967 federal referendum was aimed at removing sections in the Australian Constitution that discriminated against indigenous Australians.
The Constitution gave the Commonwealth the power to make laws on behalf of Aboriginal people and, consequently, their citizenship in their country. Only eight out of 44 attempts to amend the Constitution have been successful, but in that referendum 90.7 per cent of voters voted yes. The change was embraced, and it was long overdue. Mr Kevin Humphries, the newly elected member of the Legislative Assembly for the Nationals, spoke at a ceremony in Kirkby Park. People at the gathering then walked together to the Moree artesian spa bath. Having arrived at the site of the baths, Ms Edna Craigie gave the Welcome to Country. Mr John Tranby, the Mayor of Moree, Mr Lyall Munro a well-known spokesperson for the indigenous community, and I then addressed the audience. One minute’s silence was dedicated to commemorate the efforts of those who brought about the referendum.
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Coincidentally, on that day in that place, it was also the forty-second anniversary of the freedom riders who, led by the late Charlie Perkins, rode a bus to Moree, confronted the council and integrated the pool.
While the referendum brought about much symbolic change in our nation, a large gap still exists between the lives of indigenous Australians and the lives of their fellow Australians. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the lowest scores on almost every key social and economic indicator—and in some instances this gap is widening. Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation have reported some devastating facts indicating the vast chasm between indigenous Australians and their fellow Australians. For example, life expectancy of an indigenous child born today is 17 years lower than for the rest of the population; 45 per cent of indigenous men are dead by the age of 45; and 34 per cent of indigenous women do not reach even that age. Indigenous Australians also have the highest rates of preventable disease.
The percentage of indigenous students who meet minimum national benchmarks for reading, writing and numeracy is less than for any other students. These are Third World figures which ought not to exist in a country such as Australia. What can be done to remedy this situation? All Australians must commit themselves to removing any barriers, real or perceived, between themselves and their fellow Australians. This must be done in an attitude of thankfulness, recognising that we are now all part of one great nation. We must work together to ensure real change for indigenous Australians at every level.
One moving moment that will probably stay with me for the rest of my life was when I led the march as the nominal dignitary behind the Aboriginal flag and spoke to an elderly auntie about when 42 years ago her children were at the Moree Secondary College. As Aborigines, the children were not allowed into the pool to try out for the school’s swimming team—Aborigines were not permitted to go into the water—but when the school participated in the inter-school swimming competition her children were not even allowed to watch from the stands. There is still much to achieve in Moree, as evidenced by the boarded-up windows of the shops and the 28 plate glass windows that have been shattered in drive-by shootings. We must remain committed to improving conditions in housing, health care and education. 30 May 2007.