New Gen Voice to Parliament Briefing: Hosted by The Myer Foundation, Philanthropy Australia's New Gen Network & NEXUS Australia

In 2023, Australians will have their say in a referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution through an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. This is a key element of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The Myer Foundation, Philanthropy Australia's New Gen Network and NEXUS Australia warmly welcome you to a practical informative session on the referendum, with drinks and nibbles. We will be joined by guest speakers Rachel Perkins (Chair of the Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition (AICR), Emily Holm (National Organising Lead for Yes23) and Teela Ried (First Nations lawyer, essayist and storyteller).

Our facilitator Edgar Myer will lead a panel discussion with speakers Rachel and Emily, diving into:
- Why is the Voice so important? What impact will it have?

- What is the pathway to 'Yes?

- What role can we play?

There will also be time for networking before and after the conversation, and we warmly welcome you to bring questions of your own.

Speakers

Rachel Perkins, Chair, AICR (Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition)

Rachel Perkins is an Arrernte and Kalkadoon women and a distinguished filmmaker with a career spanning three decades. She is a signatory to the Uluru Statement from the Heart and has served on boards of multiple federal agencies. She currently co-chairs the National Native Title Council and Commonwealth government’s partnership to reform Indigenous heritage laws. In 2020 she was named one of the most culturally powerful Australians in the AFR.

Emily Holm, National Organising Lead, Yes23

Emily brings to the Yes Campaign more than ten years’ experience in campaign communications and organising, with skills honed by her work with the Finance Sector Union, Hunter Workers’ Alliance and CFMEU Construction. She has been involved in political campaigning in both state and federal elections, notably as campaign manager for Labor’s campaign for the federal seat of Banks at the 2019 election, as well as elections in WA, NT, QLD and NSW.

Teela Reid, lawyer, essayist, storyteller and co-founder of @blackfulla_bookclub

Teela Reid is a proud Wiradjuri and Wailwan woman, lawyer, essayist, storyteller and co-founder of @blackfulla_bookclub, a platform that honours First Nation’s Ancestors as the original Storytellers. Currently, Teela is a Sydney-based Senior Solicitor practicing in Aboriginal Land Rights litigation and is the current Practitioner in residence at Sydney Law School. She is also a campaigner for the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

This year, Teela is the contribution editor for the Griffith Review 'Acts of Reckoning' Edition 2022. Her essay is titled; The Power of the First Nations Matriarchy: Warrior Women Reckoning with the Colony'. Her first essay was titled2020 – the year of reckoning, not reconciliation. It’s time to show up! A soaring tribute to her late grandfather, Trevor ‘Toot’ Reid. Her second essay is titled The Heart of seeding First Nations Sovereignty – Can you handle the truth about Treaty?

Teela has also written opinions published in the Sydney Morning Herald, Washington Post, The Guardian, Marie Claire and The National Indigenous Times.

Teela was awarded 2022 Indigenous Leader at the Australian Law Awards. In 2021, Teela was named as a Future Shaper by Time Out Sydney for her public advocacy across a range of mediums. She was also awarded the 2020 UNSW Young Achiever for her contributions to the community, her advocacy as a working group leader on s 51(xxvi), the Race Power, in the Constitutional dialogue process that culminated in the Uluru Statement from the Heart that culminated in the most historic calls for a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Australian Constitution and a Makarrata Commission to enable a process of Treaty and Truth-telling. Teela was also recognised for her work as a key thinker and leading advocate behind the Walama Court, a proposal to establish an Aboriginal sentencing court at the NSW District Court jurisdiction.

Panel facilitator

Edgar Myer, The Myer Foundation

Edgar works within the Yulgilbar group of companies and the Aranday group of companies on a broad range of legal and investment related matters. Before moving into private investment management, Edgar worked as a lawyer at Gilbert + Tobin. Edgar also has experience as a company director across a number of social impact initiatives, and is a member of the Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellowships Committee.

Host organisations

The Myer Foundation
The Myer Foundation was established in 1959 by Sidney Myer’s sons, the late Kenneth Myer AC DSC and the late Baillieu Myer AC. As a key entity of Myer family philanthropy, it engages with the community to promote a just, creative, enlightened, caring and sustainable Australia.

Philanthropy Australia's New Generation of Giving Network
Philanthropy Australia are the national peak body for philanthropy and provide advocacy, networking, services and resources to the philanthropic and not-for-profit sector, as well as information and research for the Australian community. Philanthropy Australia’s New Gen Network connects new and emerging philanthropists in their 20s and 30s. The New Gen Network (New Gen) is for individuals in who want to make a difference, create relationships and learn from some of the most experienced philanthropists in Australia.

NEXUS Australia
NEXUS is a global movement of 5,000+ young people from over 70 countries working to increase and improve philanthropy and social change.They work to unite next gen philanthropists (aged 18-45), emerging young social entrepreneurs, impact investors and allies to catalyse new leadership and accelerate solutions to the world’s greatest social problems. Founded in 2011, and convened in partnership with the United Nations, NEXUS puts the hope and promise of young people on the world stage by bringing members together at NEXUS summits and events around the world.
NEXUS Australia is hosted and supported by partner, Australian Progress, and auspiced by partner, Philanthropy Australia. NEXUS Australia continues to be underpinned by valued philanthropic and corporate funding partners. NEXUS Australia aims to build this community by catalysing a change in philanthropic culture amongst emerging philanthropists by sharing best practice in impact-focused philanthropy and investment and promoting bolder projects for social and environmental change.