In my post-youth years, before I jiggered my shoulders, a great delight was beach fishing at sunup to bring home a feed of whiting for breakfast. If I wanted to know which way the fish were running, I’d ask an old bloke with a beanie and white bucket. I would not just give up and go home, nor would I ask the kids with the boogie boards. They might know the surf but not the fish.
The same goes for the coming referendum. Unless we had a pretty good schooling, many of us would not know what the Constitution is and how that affects our lives. Up until 1967, the Constitution treated Aboriginal people differently in some respects. That has changed. And the African nations supported Sydney’s bid for the Olympic Games because of the support for that referendum.
The coming referendum asks for an addition to the Constitution, not a change. The addition will ensure that consultation happens when a new law may have some effect on Indigenous heritage. Any decision that is made will be driven by what is the best outcome for us all, not just what some very angry and well-funded individual wants.
It is important that we feel okay about the addition, we don’t want more division in our society. Nothing wrong with not knowing, but it is a sign of a ‘slack arse’ who is not prepared to find out. Maybe ask one of those people wearing a ‘Yes’ badge.
I used to enjoy those grilled whiting!
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
