In a highly unusual alliance, Australia’s not-for-profits have joined forces with the banks, sporting code peak bodies, IT and insurance companies, trade unions, educational institutions, and some of the country’s biggest corporations to support a Voice to Parliament and a “yes” vote in the Referendum.

The more than 70 organisations are all members of a network of 2,450 organisations with a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

The group includes the Brotherhood of St. Laurence, Life Without Barriers, Independent Education Union, Public Health Association of Australia, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Goodstart Early Learning, Wesfarmers, Fremantle Football Club, National Rugby League, Fujitsu Australia Limited, Origin Energy, Federation University and Transgrid among many others.

For many of these organisations it will be their first call for a Yes vote since the public debate around the Voice to Parliament referendum began.

Reconciliation Australia CEO, Karen Mundine, said the group’s diversity underscores the broad support for the Voice to Parliament from Australians from all walks of life.

“There are few times in Australian history when such a diverse group of organisations representing some very disparate interests have come together to support a particular goal,” she said.

“Constitutional recognition and a greater say for First Nations peoples have been a central pillar of the reconciliation movement for decades.

“In 2000 our predecessor, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation called for a referendum for constitutional recognition, and stressed the critical importance of a greater First Nations voice in decisions that impact us,” said Ms Mundine.

“Twenty-three years later the reconciliation movement, including our RAP partners, are just as certain and just as passionate that these outcomes are central to Australia’s journey of reconciliation.”

Ms Mundine said she had been urging the RAP network to inform and educate themselves, and their stakeholders about the Voice and the referendum process to counter misinformation and ensure that all Australians can responsibly participate in this momentous national decision. The RAP partner joint statement in support a Voice to Parliament and a “yes” vote in the Referendum is available on the Reconciliation Australia website.

Read the full RAP partner joint statement in support of a Voice to Parliament and a “yes” vote in the Referendum.

See more info on Voice to Parliament.

ENDS

16 June 2023

The ACO is saddened to announce the passing of Ross Harris on 7 June 2023. Ross played an instrumental role in the ACO serving in various capacities over 35 years, including Clinical Instructor; Chair of the Human and Animal Research Ethics Committee for over a decade; and member of the National Vision Research Institute (NVRI) Finance Committee.

Ross was granted ACO Fellowship in 1985, NVRI Life Membership in 2002 and ACO Life Membership in 2012.

“Optometry has just lost one of its most distinguished servants and leaders”, said long-time friend and colleague Peter Dwyer in a tribute graciously provided to the ACO. “The profession and his friends have lost one of nature’s great characters and unique contributors”.

After graduating from the University of Melbourne in 1963, Ross went into practice with Wolfgang Gartner, a long-time ACO contributor and one of Ross’ lecturers. The pair were joined by Terry Blake in 1969 and later became ‘Harris, Blake & Parsons Optometrists’. Linda Harwood took over as partner when Ross retired in 2008, after 45 years.

Alongside other optometry leaders, Ross was part of the generation which pushed the profession to expand its scope and competence, building optometry a new standing as a primary eye care profession. He pursued optometry at a challenging time for the profession; the average age of an optometrist was 63 and people turned towards eye doctors for their care due in large part to discriminatory health fund rebates. Ross also faced difficulty finding ophthalmologists who were willing to lecture optometrists as part of the 2-day ‘Southern Regional Congress’. His enthusiasm caught the attention of OA Councillor Michael Aitken, and he was encouraged to stand for Council, thus beginning a long career in professional affairs.

His dedication to the broader profession was fulfilled in active service to the Optometry Australia as a Councillor, as State President 1975-77, and as Victoria’s National Vice President delegate to the National body for over a decade. From 1983-86 he took on the role of National President. Ross was one of the youngest ever state presidents, elected to that position in his mid-twenties. Ross was honoured with Life Membership of Optometry Australia.

In addition to Ross’ role as Clinical Instructor at the ACO, he was an early supporter of the vision research undertaken by the organisation and was a Foundation Member of the National Vision Research Institute (NVRI) and NVRI Governor. In 2002, Ross was awarded a NVRI Life Membership. He spent ten years actively involved in the NVRI Board of Administration in various capacities, serving as the Deputy Chairman from 1989-1996 and continued to contribute by chairing several of their committees thereafter until 2001.

“Ross also developed many interests outside the profession’, continued Peter Dwyer. “These included a debating team with practice partner Wolf Gartner; cultivating Australian native plants; an occasional golfer, and an occasional skier; a wholly unjustifiable preference for French cars; and a lifelong interest in fine wines. At one stage he even developed a small vineyard on an orphan plot of land defined by the width of just one twentieth of its length. Friends and family enjoyed a hilarious luncheon soaking up his only vintage.

“The profession and society has lost a one-off. Hardly anyone these days would give nearly four decades to a cause, let alone have a varied life and do so with such good humour. Thanks Ross, well done.”

Vale Ross Harris.

A service celebrating Ross’ life will be held at White Lady Funerals 741 High St, Kew East, Vic at 2pm on Monday 19 June 2023.