Peter Lockyer, a local architect and builder who helped run the stalls, hopes to see a constructive outcome on October 14.
“I see this campaign as an opportunity to change how we do things and listen from the ground up,” Mr Lockyer said.
“From my experience living and working remotely, that’s the only way things work.”
Mr Lockyer has worked extensively in remote WA, including the Pilbara and Kimberley regions, and has seen the beauty of people banding together to make positive change.
“For me, watching Marcia Langton and Noel Pearson talk with love and sincerity, what they are saying is motivating,” he said.
“Those that are talking Yes have good hearts and see the worth in exploring a different option.”
Mr Lockyer believes that individual perspective on the upcoming referendum’s opportunity or cost reflects how you view life more broadly.
“I find it really hard dealing with negative people on the street. A couple of people each day say we are on the wrong side of history or that Aboriginal history doesn’t even exist.
“I was talking with people yesterday at the Tallarook market, and this campaign has exposed Australia’s level of racism.
Despite being a fierce advocate, Mr Lockyer is not wearing rose-coloured glasses.
He sees the challenges ahead, but related the referendum to other social reforms over the past decade, such as the NDIS system.
“As I said to someone yesterday, there are no guarantees in anything. Like the NDIS, over 10 years, some things didn’t work, but you go back and tinker with it,” he said.
“Life is not a straight line.”
Cautiously optimistic, Mr Lockyer cited the 2017 plebiscite to legalise gay marriage, which had a negative response for much of the lead-up campaign.
“It’s not politics (the Voice referendum), but it’s become politics. It has been painted as a government-driven thing, which is so wrong,” he said.
“On one level, this is a human rights issue, but it’s also an invitation.”
10°C