The Advertiser Voicewagen rolls on from Pinaroo to Loxton
The Advertiser’s Voicewagen is reaching the end of its journey just as the nation prepares to put the full stop on the referendum campaign this weekend.
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Every town has its characters. And on our travels through South Australia, speaking with people in every corner about the Voice to Parliament, we’ve certainly met a few.
Our penultimate day of The Advertiser’s Voicewagen tour of SA would be no different.
After covering off the South-East and spending the night at Bordertown on the last leg of our trip, Nelson the orange and white 1973 Kombi van is headed for the Riverland.
But a quick rest stop at Pinnaroo turns into a fascinating glimpse into the region’s past – and it’s vision for the future too.
Not long after we pull in, we meet Marjorie Schroeder, 91, who lived on a farm in the area before moving into town more than 20 years ago.
She’s a big fan of the paper – mostly for the crosswords, which she says are best done sitting at the kitchen table as opposed to any armchair.
But she reads the news too, and she’s studied up on the Voice.
“I think Albo was very wrong when he would not separate recognising Aboriginal people in the constitution and having the Voice,” she tells us.
While stretching our legs we pop into the Mallee Tourist and Heritage Centre, just next to the rest area, where we meet Lorraine Blacksell, 66.
She’s a volunteer at the centre and was Pinnaroo’s last telephonist before the service was automated in 1987. Lorraine tells us she’s voting no.
“I think we’re all equal and everybody‘s got a choice to say what they think,” she says.
Fellow volunteer Beryl Schutz, 79, is also a no voter, and over by the community notice board we meet Rosita Lloyd, who lives just over the Victorian border and is voting no too.
It’s a friendly town but our busy schedule means we have to say hooroo to Pinnaroo and continue through the Murray Mallee until we reach Loxton.
After a quick stop at the car wash — Nelson’s windscreen amassed an impressive collection of bugs on the way through – we head for the river.
Bar a few kids swimming, there aren’t many people around. So we head a little further along the riverbank and find the Loxton Historical Village, where we meet volunteer Jill Clifford, 76.
She shows us around the village’s historic buildings, which house old-world machinery and other artefacts. It’s also home to Australia’s second-largest collection of hat pins.
Jill’s a no voter, as is her friend Carlene Noble, who had just popped in to catch up.
“I feel that all the arguments for the Yes vote can be achieved without changing the constitution,” Jill says.
Later, on the main street, people are mostly happy to talk – but not many want to put their name to their views. Most tell us they are voting no.
There’s no such hesitation when we walk into women’s fashion store Frankie and Dandelion.
Behind the counter is Kerry Servin, 62, a local who happily tells us she’s a yes voter.
“We’re living in the no and it’s not working,” she says.
“So let’s give the opposite a try”
Her daughter Tessa Kirk, 31, the owner of the store, arrives a short time later and says she’s voting yes too.
Her reasons are the same, and she mentions that she’s found the Instagram content of Adam “Senator” Briggs to be “really influential in a positive way”.
It’s hot in Loxton – like 33C degrees – and Kerry and Tessa suggest we might find people to chat to at the Loxton Hotel.
They’re right.
It’s knock-off time and the place is bustling. On our way in we run into Jill and Carlene, sitting outside sipping on a couple of iced coffees.
We find Kelvin Bray, 27, and Alex Thompson, 35, playing pool at a table in the back bar. They’re both from Berri, 20km north of Loxton, and both voting no.
Sitting outside enjoying Halloween-themed Beetlejuice cocktail is Kiera Fielding, 23, and her fiance Brandon Krause, 22. They’re from Loxton and undecided.
They’re with Levi Phillips, 21 and undecided, as well as Sommer Andrews, 18, and baby Malakai. Summer is undecided but, when asked how he’ll vote, Malakai says “NO NO NO”. We have to break to him that due to age he will be excluded from the survey.
In total, we speak to 12 no, six yes and nine undecided voters in Loxton.
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