Only 30 days left: Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group (GOFRG) Inc. takes up a once in a lifetime opportunity

You Me Unity is the national conversation about updating our constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture for the benefit of all Australians. There are only 30 days left for people in Geelong to join in. Today GORFG joined in by making an online submission to You Me Unity about the changes it would like to see to the constitution.

Everyone in Geelong can have a say in this once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s simple. With just a click of the button people in Geelong can have a say.

Visit the You Me Unity website (www.youmeunity.org.au) to learn more. Fill in a single question survey, write an essay or just a few words. There are lots of options. We’d like to encourage people to read GOFRG’s submission to help them think about what they’d like to say. You can also read submissions from across the country at the You Me Unity website.

Constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can right past wrongs and challenge the harmful effects of racism in the present. Research shows that racism is a threat to public health in Australia, especially for Indigenous Australians where its effects have reached crisis proportions. Health problems from the lack of respect and recognition that underpins racism include high blood pressure, heart disease, depression and anxiety (refer: http://www.antar.org.au/racism).

Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our constitution can be a point of pride for all Australians. We are out of step with many other countries (New Zealand, Canada, Norway, Finland, South Africa, Bolivia, Eucudor, Mexico and the USA) by not doing so.

The countdown has begun - a once in a lifetime chance for you to have your say

With just the press of a button you can have your say about updating the Australian constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture for the benefit of all Australians. You only have to 30th September 2011 to have your say.

Members of Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group met last night to plan their submission. Individual members of the group have also had their say by taking the You Me Unity one question surveys.
It's easy with a click of a button to take a survey. To learn about the issues and help you decide what you think you can downlooad helpful and easy to information packs or a DIY kit if you want to organise a discussion with others. 

We're encouraging everyone living and working in the City of Greater Geelong to have their say too. Link here to the You Me Unity website to have your say or view the submissions others have made.  

See the latest Survey results - to date 95% who have taken the survey believe Section 25 be deleted from the Australian Constitution to remove the suggestion that an Australian voter could be excluded from voting on the basis of race.

Don't miss out - have your say now.

YOU ME UNITY: Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

June 2011 - September 2011 ...

A new conversation starts now ... how we can recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Australian Constitution.

Over the next 6 months, 20 members of the panel appointed by the Prime Minister will be travelling across the country to listen to Australians, as currently not all Australians are equal under our constitution.

It is time to move to constitutional recognition, to embrace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as full and equal citizens, responding to general recognition that this is something we must do.

75% of people support plans for some form of constitutional change.

A proposed change could be placed before a referendum. Current proposals include:

• A statement of recognition - acknowledging Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people’s unique culture & an important part of Australian society
• A statement of values – recognising Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people’s and fundamental Australian values such as citizens personal freedom……racial and gender equality and our commitment to a democratic government
• Repealing or amending the ‘race power’ in the constitution – creating a new guarantee of non discrimination and racial equality
• Make laws to protect Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage and redress historical disadvantage.

The panel wants to hear what people think plus any other ideas. No decision has been made yet, and you are encouraged to take part and submit your views and ideas for Constitutional change.

The Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group is interested in being part of a local group making a submission to these plans. Would you like to do this with us?

You can find out more information at:  www.YouMeUnity.org.au