Belvoir St Theatre & Biennale of Sydney Voice Town Hall

PLEASE JOIN US ONLINE - We've already sold out in person tickets but you can enjoy this great event from the comfort of your own home - maybe have some friends join you too!

The Uluru Statement from the Heart has extended a generous and powerful invitation to all Australians – and at Biennale of Sydney and Belvoir St Theatre we are embracing this invitation and asking you to join us on this journey of saying Yes to constitutional recognition.

Join us in this spirit of generosity, as we come together as a community to learn, discuss, and understand the Voice to Parliament. Let us inform ourselves, engage in meaningful conversations, and listen with open minds.

This event will be an immersive experience, both in person and online, ensuring that everyone can participate and contribute.

We will have Narelda Jacobs OAM join us as our event MC. Narelda has been a Network Ten journalist since 2000, along with being a regular presenter for SBS and NITV. She has been a news presenter for 10 News First in Perth since 2008. Narelda is of Whadjuk Noongar heritage. Alongside Narelda, we will be joined by Tony McAvoy SC, a Wirdi man from the central Queensland area, an esteemed barrister who in 2015 became the first Indigenous Australian in the country’s history to be appointed Senior Counsel. We will also have Jade Ritchie join us on the panel. Originally from Bundaberg, Jade has lived on Larrakia country for the past 10 years and is an advocate for the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Jade has extended that advocacy to be a spokesperson for the Yes campaign in the lead up to Referendum 2023.

Jade has 20 years’ experience working on programs and initiatives to enhance Aboriginal engagement and leadership capabilities, across Queensland and the Northern Territory including remote communities in Arnhem Land and Central Australia.

Jade currently works as General Manager, Business Development with environmental services company Tellus Holdings, which she joined following a role with the National Indigenous Australians Agency, as Director of Economic Development and Major Projects.

We'll also be joined by Nardi Simpson, a Yuwaalaraay storyteller from north west NSW freshwater floodplains. She is founding member of Indigenous band Stiff Gins and an accomplished composer, playwright, educator and public speaker. Her debut novel Song of the Crocodile was long listed for the 2020 Stella Prize, Miles Franklin Award and was winner of the ALS Gold medal.

During this event, we will delve into the significance of the Voice, the importance of formal recognition, and the journey toward truth-telling. We will explore the deep-rooted connection between art, culture, and the Voice, as well as the impact it can have on shaping a better future.

As we gather for this town hall at Belvoir St Theatre, we recognise and honour the rich history of storytelling and community gathering that has taken place on this site for generations.

The First Nations artists and communities have shared their powerful stories on our stages, enriching our lives. We recognise the profound contributions of First Nations People to art, culture, and society, and we stand with them in their call for constitutional recognition.

What: Voice to Parliament Community Forum
When: August 14, 6:30pm-8:00pm
Where: Belvoir St Theatre, Surry Hills & Online