Vote that changed Australia
50 years on after 1967 referendum
PRISCILLA Holborn broke down in tears as she recounted the hardship and discrimination endured by her family during an event to recognise the 50th anniversary of the Australian 1967 Referendum.
The Toowoomba woman spoke on dewy ground at the Toowoomba Civic Square early yesterday morning to reflect on the vote which empowered the Federal Parliament to make laws for Aboriginal people.
Nearly 90% of Queenslanders voted to approve the change to the Australian Constitution.
Ms Holborn choked up when she spoke of the human rights which had been denied to her Laidley-born mother Irene Bevin before the change.
“She didn’t have the things I take for granted – such as freedom of speech, freedom of movement or even the right to own property.
“She was not counted as a citizen in her own country.”
She also spoke of
continuing discrimination to Aboriginals from a personal perspective going to school in Toowoomba.
“My story is not so different to others of my age – cringing when the teacher would open the Australian history books to the picture of the ‘natives’ portrayed as savages, unruly and of need of saving or changing.
“I remember leathering the white soap up in the bath and covering myself up to see what I would look like white because I didn’t want
to be black any more.”
St Saviour’s College Year 12 student Lottie Beschel spoke of her hope for the future.
“Years from now I hope to see cultural immersion of indigenous cultures coming alive in schools, not only shared among indigenous families but Australian families as a whole.”
She said reconciliation was beneficial to the country.
“When a home is reconciled it becomes a
strong household; when a community becomes reconciled it becomes a stronger community.
“If this whole country becomes reconciled, imagine how great it would be.”
During the event participants paused for one minute’s silence to remember those who have died recently, those affected by the “stolen generation” and the lives lost in Manchester during the May 22 suicide bombing.
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She was not counted as a citizen in her own country.
— Priscilla Holborn