Bundaberg Yes campaigners take stock after Voice referendum

Bundaberg Yes23 supporters have reflected on their regrets and the “horrendous” abuse throughout the campaign, following an emphatic rejection of the Voice proposal.

The mood was bleak at the Queensland Council of Unions building on Maryborough St, where Bundaberg Yes23 campaigners gathered on Saturday evening after a long day at polling places around the region.

There was no cause for celebration as counting revealed an emphatic rejection of the Voice proposal by as early as 6.30pm.

Results showed 75.36 per cent of Wide Bay voters voted no and 24.64 per cent yes.

Sitting alone in the courtyard, Gooreng Gooreng Elder Aunty Julie Appo searched for the words to describe the disappointment she felt.

“I feel angry, disappointed, stunned actually,” Aunty Julie said.

“Only 30 to 40 per cent (of Australians) think that we’re worthwhile, so it makes you feel like you are not worthwhile.

“The strongest thing I could say is we went searching for the heart of Australia, and it’s very cold. Very cold.”

Gooreng Gooreng Elder Aunty Julie Appo said the result of the referendum revealed a "cold heart" of Australia.

Aunty Julie despaired at the misinformation that had circulated on social media, inflaming concerns that the constitutionally enshrined Voice would enable Indigenous people to take land from private property owners.

“People were told over and over again that we are not going to take their land, that was one of the resounding things that kept repeating itself throughout the campaign,” she said.

“Who are these people to talk to us about losing their land?

“The misinformation and disinformation that was out there was very, very well done.

“We weren’t up to those tactics, so we didn’t do that. And now I think we should have fought harder.”

Numbers had dwindled by 7.30pm as people gradually trickled home, quietly offering each other words of support and promises to keep in touch.

Speaking in the kitchen as she cleared away the empty wine and beer bottles, campaign co-captain Cheryl Dorron said her main emotion was one of “sadness” that the referendum had not succeeded in bringing about practical change in addressing Indigenous disadvantage.

“It was going to be a positive way forward, and now we’re back at the starting point,” she said.

A lifetime member of the ALP and veteran of many election campaigns, Ms Dorron said she had been shocked at the amount of “vitriol” in the community targeted at Bundaberg Yes campaigners, most of whom were women aged over 70.

“There was a lot of anger out there, a lot of vitriol,” she said.

“I’ve been doing campaigns for over 30 years, and I’ve never experienced anything like it.

“The verbal abuse that we got was just horrendous.

“I wouldn’t tell you the language that was used, but if they had any respect for women at all they would not have used it.”

Ms Dorron said the result of the referendum revealed a “lack of empathy” for Indigenous people, and a disturbing unwillingness to seek out information beyond what was found on social media.

“There certainly seems to be a lack of empathy with our First Nations people, … it’s very sad,” Ms Dorron said.

“They saw the social media stuff that was coming through, and they believed in it.

“It’s not too difficult to get on your gadgets and find out all sorts of untruths, but they don’t want to seek any further than that and get a different perspective.”

While the result was still raw, Ms Dorron said the worst outcome would be for her team to move on from campaigning for reconciliation and closing the gap on Indigenous disadvantage.

“You don’t let it slide,” she said.

“You just regroup, rethink, and get back out there.”