Summary

Alternative Name: Button

Badge advocating for a 'Yes' vote in the Australian national referendum in 1967.

On 27 May 1967, 90.77% of Australian voters recorded the largest ever 'Yes' vote in a referendum to alter the Australian constitution. This referendum finally enabled Aboriginal people to be counted in the national census and to be subject to Commonwealth laws, rather than just state laws. Many Aboriginal people considered that changing sections of the Federal Constitution was essential in gaining formal recognition of their existence as people of their own country. Only four referenda prior to 1967 had been passed.

Physical Description

Round white badge with words in black lettering. Reverse of badge has a pin.

Significance

This badge documents the growing political movement led by Aboriginal people in Victoria in the advocacy of Indigenous rights. In particular it represents one of the most significant moments of Aboriginal recognition in Australian political history.

More Information