"From the bottom of my heart, I thank you": Yes Alliance Director Dean Parkin
Out & About
“I want to thank you for your commitment, your determination, your belief — it warms me and it warms us in this campaign knowing you are alongside us. It means that the people in your community — in your congregations — are hearing from people like themselves that share the same values and beliefs. We know this is critically important to making sure that people are getting the right information. So the role you are playing is one that is valued by all of us…And for that, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you,” says Quandamooka man and Yes Alliance Director Dean Parkin to clergy, lay leaders and Christian advocates for the Voice
Dean’s complete message:
“I’d like to thank you for showing your support for this most important time in our history — a successful referendum on recognising Indigenous peoples in the Constitution through a Voice. This is a moment of importance for all Australians, and it is very important that members of the Christian faith, the Christian community, are again at the forefront of this moment in our history. And I say ‘again’ because we of course remember the 1967 referendum when faith groups and faith leaders and individuals rolled up their sleeves, got involved in the campaign and helped drive the most successful referendum in Australian history — one which improved the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We find ourselves here yet again, 56 years later in 2023, yet again ready to confront this moment in our history, ready to embrace this moment in our history, as we move towards the final stages of this long journey, this long journey to a referendum by the end of this year. I only have to look at the role of the Church and faith play in the lives of people important to me, including my mum. Of course, the Church is important with respect to her faith and her spiritualty, and it is also important in creating important forums to discuss these issues to bring all Australians in in a welcoming and generous and inviting way so that everybody can be part of this referendum this year. So I want to thank you for your commitment, your determination, your belief — it warms me and it warms us in this campaign knowing you are alongside us. It means that the people in your community — in your congregations – are hearing from people like themselves that share the same values and beliefs. We know this is critically important to making sure that people are getting the right information. So the role you are playing is one that is valued by all of us as we aim to achieve a successful referendum, which will not only be for the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, but for our nation more broadly. And for that — from the bottom of my heart — I thank you,” says Quandamooka man, Uluru Statement leader and Yes Alliance Director, Dean Parkin, to clergy, lay leaders and Christian advocates for the Voice
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