Statement by Belvoir St Theatre on the Voice to Parliament Referendum

image description
Read
Date Published:
19 Jun 2023

Belvoir St Theatre acknowledges that it is a guest on the lands of the Gadigal.

The hillside on which our theatre sits is a place where people have always gathered, and stories have always been told. We honour the long history of this place.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and communities from around the nation have always shared their stories on our stages. These artists and stories have enriched all of our lives.  

In 2017 the Uluru Statement from the Heart called for a three-part process towards creating a “rightful place” for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: truth-telling, treaty, and ‘the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution’.  

The Belvoir Board and staff recognise the historic opportunity of the invitation extended by First Nations people in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Together we express our support for the YES case in the referendum. 

We acknowledge and respect that differing views exist within the Belvoir community. This endorsement is not an expectation that our extended community will vote in a particular way or advocate for a YES vote. By its nature, Belvoir is a place where many different ideas, experiences and stories co-exist.

We encourage everyone to inform themselves, be engaged, listen with an open mind, and respect the views of others.