In summary

  • Yorta Yorta man Ian Hamm delivered the 2023 Swinburne Annual Barak Wonga Oration

  • The annual address is hosted by the Moondani Toombadool Centre, named after Aboriginal leaders William Barak and Simon Wonga, and aims to advance the understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues in Australia

  • The title of the address was 'What does the 2nd Aborigines Referendum tell us and, more importantly, where might we go from here’

Yorta Yorta man and Swinburne National Centre for Reconciliation Practice of the Advisory Board Chair Ian Hamm delivered a thought-provoking oration on 'What does the 2nd Aborigines Referendum tell us and, more importantly, where might we go from here' in the wake of Australia’s failed 2023 referendum. 

Swinburne’s annual Barak Wonga Oration, hosted by the Moondani Toombadool Centre, serves as a significant platform for advancing understanding on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander matters - aligning with Swinburne's commitment to reconciliation. 

Reflections on failure and fallout

Ian reflected on the result of the October 2023 referendum and underscored the inherent challenges the Yes Campaign faced in actualising the Uluru Statement from the Heart. 

He said the attempt to take a document of purity, of hope, of ambition and try to “make it real” revealed a distinct lack of understanding not only of the Australian electorate but of the Australian character.

The referendum was not just about a constitutional amendment but a broader reflection of the place of Aboriginal people in Australia.  

“It was never clear to the bulk of Australians if ‘yes’ is the answer – what is the question?”

Ian said the question the referendum was asking Australians to consider was should Aborigines be able to speak? “Should I as a voter allow the Aborigines to talk about things that are about them – yes or no? Simple question, simple answer”.

Discussing the political fallout, Ian acknowledged the potential for opportunistic exploitation of the referendum's defeat. He expresses concern over the setback in state government opposition to treaty legislation, lamenting the re-politicisation of Indigenous affairs after years of effort to remove politics from the equation.

“This wasn’t just defeat of an idea, the campaign had been run on political lines. I worked hard for years and years to take the politics out of Indigenous affairs. And it just got blown up.” 

Looking to the future of reconciliation

Looking forward, Ian Hamm issued a call to arms for reconciliation, emphasising the need for Indigenous people to determine their own destiny rather than relying on referendums or political parties. 

“We need to look at what do we really mean by reconciliation, what are we trying to achieve, what are the terms of it?”

“It is up to us as blackfellas to determine what our place in Australia is, not our country men voting through referendums,” Ian said.  

“We should be the ones who determine our own destiny.” 

“If I have a takeaway from all this it is that hope lives. And as long as it does, we will find a way because we always find a way. Hope lives.”

Swinburne remains unwavering in its support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and its commitment to voice, treaty, and truth. 

The University continues to drive reconciliation through initiatives led by the Moondani Toombadool Centre and the National Centre for Reconciliation Practice, exemplified by the competition of construction on the Indigenous Learning Circles — a tangible manifestation of Swinburne's ongoing dedication to reconciliation.