After Easter, the ‘Yes’ banner will be removed from the south-west spire of St Paul’s Cathedral Melbourne, where it has been on display since July 2023.
The Very Revd Dr Andreas Loewe, Dean of Melbourne, said: ‘When we sought permission from Heritage Victoria to display our “Yes” banner, we agreed that we would take it down again after Easter 2024. But while the banner had a clear “use by date”, our advocacy for a more just settlement for Indigenous People does not. St Paul’s remains committed supporting the Statement from the Heart in full: voice, truth telling, treaty and makarrata (coming together after a struggle)’.
Dean Andreas explained: ‘The Voice referendum was only ever the first step on the journey outlined by the Statement from the Heart. Our banner called on Melburnians to support the Voice from a place of Christian ethics. Our commitment to First Nations people doesn’t end with the referendum result’.
The Dean added: ‘We are actively working with Anglicans across our Province to resource the Yoorook Justice Commission in its comprehensive truth-telling process, which is crucial in understanding the ongoing impacts of colonial history on First Nations People. And we have begun conversations about how we may best support the Treaty process in our state’.
The ‘Yes’ banner was created by the Cathedral’s Aboriginal Canons, with Wiradjuri priest Canon Associate Professor Uncle Glenn Loughrey creating the banner art and Ngarrindjeri priest Canon Helen Dwyer wording its message. The banner was placed on the Cathedral front spire in partnership with the Brotherhood of St Laurence.