In 2004, AFL legend Michael Long set off on foot from Melbourne on a walk to Canberra. When he arrived, he met with then-Prime Minister John Howard.
His message was clear: It was time to put Indigenous issues back on the agenda and raise the voices of Indigenous Australian communities.
Nineteen years later, Michael is repeating that walk, supporting a Yes vote in the upcoming Voice referendum.
Mr Long began his ‘Long Walk ‘on Sunday, August 27, at Melbourne Town Hall, joined by supporters, arriving in Violet Town on Friday, September 1.
As Mr Long travels from town to town, he shares his message of inclusivity.
One of the next towns on his route was Benalla, where a group of supporters greeted him.
Mr Long spoke to community members about his walk and why supporting the Voice to Parliament was important to him.
As he set off around Lake Benalla, he told the Ensign he has been impressed with the number of people meeting him and walking with him at the different communities he visits.
“It’s their way of getting involved and contributing, and I think we’ve been able to engage a lot more people this time,” he said.
“It shows that people really care about what happens in our nation.
“And it hasn’t just been the big towns. The turn out in the small towns has been great.
“They want to get active, organise and see change, which is great.”
Mr Long said the upcoming referendum is a step towards acknowledging the Uluru Statement of the Heart.
“The Uluru Statement of the Heart was presented on behalf of Indigenous People to the government, Labor and Liberal,” he said.
“It’s a gift to the nation. It’s about love, it’s about moving forward, it’s about coming together.
“People need to remember this is a referendum, not an election. So, you have to think with your mind and your heart. How do we see ourselves as a country?”
A constitutionally enshrined Voice to Parliament would allow Aboriginal Australians to advise the Federal Government on matters that affect Aboriginal people.
The advice would centre around matters like employment, education, life expectancy and mortality rates, which the ‘Close the Gap’ initiative has failed to address.
Mr Long said that the gap had widened since John Howard abolished the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission in 2005.
“I hope we haven’t forgotten to care about our people, our nation,” he said.
“In the year 2023, people want things to change… It’s a step forward and a positive thing as a Nation.”
“You want to leave this place in a better way when you leave, and that is part of our role,” Mr Long said.
As he crossed into the electorate, Mr Long was met by fellow Yes supporter, Federal Member for Indi, Helen Haines.
“Michael Long is a legend in the hearts and minds of many Australians,” Dr Haines said.
“He’s a football champion, but he’s been a champion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people all his life.
“He’s been an extraordinary mentor to young people and is a person with great authority.
“I think that people want to come out and cheer Michael on and hear what he has to say about what this referendum is asking of all of us.”
Dr Haines said the statistics show that around 35 per cent of people are undecided.
“It’s six weeks until we have to walk into the polls,” she said.
“Whatever you do, ensure you have sought credible, factual information about what you’re being asked.
“There is a lot of rubbish out there. There is a lot of misinformation. I think Australians won’t be duped by that.”