A message from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese played before the awards ceremony — which, by the way, is being held in in Meanjin.
He spoke about the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.
It is always a week of great significance but this year is lit up with a new hope.
Last week, Parliament said yes to holding a referendum.
Now the Australian people will have the chance to say yes to Indigenous recognition in our nation’s constitution.
This grassroots movement started with the people and will return to the people.
We will have a chance to make history, a chance to change our country for the better, together.
The theme of NAIDOC Week this year is for our elders.
One that symbolises the respect that you give elders in the community, and with the referendum this year, Australians will have the opportunity to vote yes — to vote yes for respect for Indigenous Australians, to express our pride of sharing this continent with the oldest continuous culture on earth.
On referendum day, we can bring our country together.
A yes vote will do just that.