Moira residents make their voice heard — it’s a No

Overall, every state and territory, except for the ACT, returned a No majority.

The day of the referendum, Saturday, October 14, saw Moira residents attend polling booths across the shire to cast their compulsory vote.

Gabriel from the Courier went to polling stations in Strathmerton, Yarroweah and Cobram to ask voters what they thought.

Mark Payne, Strathmerton

‘Historical’ is how Mark Payne from Strathmerton saw the 2023 referendum.

“I think it’s very important,” he said.

“I think it’s a once-in-a-generation chance to change the direction of his country.”

Despite his desire to see change, Mr Payne believed the No vote would win the day and wondered whether the fallout would be substantial.

“I wonder if 12 months from now whether we’ll have all forgotten about this referendum,” he said.

Peter Edwards, Yarroweah

“I think it’s a waste of money.”

These were the words of Peter Edwards when asked what he thought about the referendum.

Mr Edwards believed the money spent on the referendum would have been better spent directly helping Indigenous Australians.

Mr Edwards, a No voter, had little hope that Victoria would vote No due to the population in Melbourne; however, he wasn’t sure how the country as a whole would vote.

“At the end, because of the population down in Melbourne, Yes will probably win,” he said.

“Unfortunately.”

Julie Cornish, Cobram

With her Yes posters and flyers, Cobram’s Julie Cornish’s view on the referendum was never in doubt.

“I think it’s really crucial to recognise Indigenous Australians in the Australian Constitution and to give them a voice so that they can have better outcomes in education, their health, housing and work,” she said.

Refusing to speculate whether Yes or No would win, Ms Cornish said the referendum was a good starting point to inform Australians about Indigenous affairs.

However, Ms Cornish was adamant the Yes Campaign hadn’t divided the country.

“The Yes vote is not causing division. I feel that the no vote has caused division,” she said.

Adrian Lindsay, Cobram

For Adrian Lindsay, the referendum was a complete waste of time.

The No voter said he wasn’t against Indigenous recognition per se but rather against the potential for any treaty or reparations.

Mr Lindsay was confident No would win by at least 65 per cent. He said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had divided this country and the Voice to Parliament had been a mistake.

“You can recognise them (Indigenous Australians), but they don’t need to change the Constitution,” he said.

Ellie Pye, Cobram

Ellie Pye was firmly on the side of holding a referendum.

“I think that it’s an extremely important matter and that it needs to happen for constitutional change to happen,” she said.

However, the Yes supporter lamented the tactics used on both sides and believed both sides played the population against each other.

“I think that it’s a shame how much divisive content has been happening from all sides of the debate,” Ms Pye said.

Peter Watson, Cobram

Peter Watson said he voted No and believed a Yes vote would give disproportionate power to Indigenous Australians.

“I believe it’ll divide the nation ... I don’t want them (Indigenous Australians) controlling what happens in this country,” he said.

Mr Watson said that the Federal Government had wasted taxpayer money to hold the referendum and hadn’t been transparent with the population.

“We’re not given all of the details. The government is hiding way too much. And it’s not acceptable,” he said.