I felt drawn to comment on the varying perspectives surrounding the Voice referendum. Perception involves incorporating and reevaluating various points of view; it is always an active process.
It is easy to forget how we often bring our backgrounds, life circumstances and complexities into discussion without noticing or reflecting on them. This is not clear-cut, yet we are often unable to see past the boundaries of our current frame of mind.
Let’s take into consideration the ‘Fish Tank Paradox’: if we all sat around a rectangular fish tank and observed a side from an assigned position (top, the ends, front and back) we would all have a different perception of what was happening inside the tank. Our lenses of perception are relative to our position. I hope that within this ongoing conversation on the Voice we aim to facilitate a reciprocal and respectful dialogue, bringing an awareness to what we carry or bring with us as we engage relationally.
Let’s hope that during this historical time we can sense into our ‘blind spots’ and be open to each other’s viewpoints. We are after all, sitting at various sides of the tank.
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. 
