Voice to Parliament Yes campaigners in Geraldton seek to make lasting changes for First Nations people

It’s no surprise Yes campaigners for the Voice to Parliament referendum are facing an uphill battle in Geraldton, after 48 per cent of people we surveyed confirmed they sit comfortably in the No camp.
Michael Rootes is at the helm of the Yes operation in Geraldton, completely voluntarily, and a little bit accidentally.
Mr Rootes fell in to the role after inquiring to the nationwide campaign to see how he could become involved in Geraldton, and they asked if he would lead the charge.
The group of 20 volunteers snowballed from the first meeting which was five weeks ago. Mr Rootes encouraged participants to bring along friends, colleagues and partners.
“If everyone brings one person, suddenly you double your numbers — your reach doubles, you’re reaching 100 per cent more people” he said.
It’s a Saturday morning in Mt Tarcoola, there are balloons tied to mailboxes and a steady stream of five-year-olds bearing gifts walking into a house.
Opposite them is a group of eight people bearing flyers, wearing T-shirts which read “Yes” and they are confirming the reason they have all dedicated their free time.
They want to see real, tangible change for Indigenous Australians enshrined in the Constitution.
The group split up in pairs, and went to their allocated streets, and I followed my allocated duo, Lara Dalton and Lara Sampson.
My concerns of being yelled at by residents displeased to see political activists at their doorstep were quickly squashed.
Of the about 30 people who opened the door, 27 were patient and listened intently to what was being said.
“Hi, my name’s Lara and I’m volunteering with the Yes campaign. Were you aware of the referendum coming up? We have a flyer for you which should help you with any questions you have”.
Most would leave it there, but one man was ready for a debate. He did it well, and expressed concerns for both Yes and No.
“The only reason I’d vote Yes is so the government stop throwing money at these problems. If this helps them direct their money better then it’s a Yes,” he said.
Lara confirmed this was exactly what would happen. The Voice would advise policy strategically for First Nations Australians, it would not affect non-Indigenous people, and hard-earned, taxpayer dollars would be better directed.
It was the mums with babies on hips, and toddlers on their hand who were unaware of the vote, which will be happening on October 14.
“Oh yeah, I didn’t know when this was happening — or what we were going to do about it. I’ll have a read, thank you,” one young mum said.
One man opened the door and enthusiastically agreed with the Yes T-shirts, and said he would be voting Yes, describing it as “a very very good thing. A necessary thing”.
His neighbours and him did not see eye-to-eye, as she walked to her door she dismissed us quickly “No. No. Sorry, No”.
The Laras agreed in saying it was hard to not ask them “Why? Why No?”
An elderly gentleman opened his door and with a stern voice said “No. No thank you.”
The group convened after two hours of door-knocking, and congratulated each other on the work they had done. Any dampened spirits were lifted with a reminder of why they were there in the first place.
“People are going to remember this when they go to vote, and it might have an impact. Having conversations with as many people as possible, means you have actively imparted information information with those people,” Mr Rootes said.
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