Legendary Australian singer-songwriter Shane Howard has returned his Order of Australia medal, citing a deep sadness following the Voice to Parliament referendum.
Key points:
- Shane Howard is returning his OAM in response to the Voice Referendum result
- He said he feels "honour-bound" to return the award and can't be proud of his nation
- Howard penned Solid Rock in 1982 with his band Goanna about land rights for Indigenous Australians
The Goanna frontman shot to fame 41 years ago with his band's anthemic hit Solid Rock, which passionately decried the colonisation and Indigenous dispossession of Australia.
In a letter to the governor-general, Howard writes of a "deep sadness" following the rejected referendum vote.
“At this point in history, I can’t be proud of my nation and feel honour bound to return my Order of Australia medal,” Howard wrote.
“When I wrote the song, 'Solid Rock, Sacred Ground', 40 years ago, I wanted us to address the fundamental lie at the heart of our national story.
"I dreamt of a country respectful of our ancient history and honest about our modern history. I wanted to be proud of my country.”
Howard, whose great-grandfather was arrested at the Eureka Stockade, was awarded the OAM in 2016.
He said the democratic principles that his family fought for generations ago were now under threat.
Speaking to ABC Victorian Mornings, Howard said he felt compelled to make his voice heard amid a swathe of "disinformation".
"What else can I do, I'm an artist," he said.
Loading..."I copped an enormous amount of abuse that was very intimidating and at times, some stuff that was very, very racist through social media.
"I would say it’s the first time we saw the Brexit or Trump style politics at play in the Australian political landscape."
His letter states that while he respects the democratic result, he fears Australians have missed "an important historical moment of destiny".
"I love my birth country deeply but until we lose our colonial shackles, engage in Treaty-making with our First Peoples, commit to truth-telling about our history and embrace a post-colonial republic, I cannot be proud of my nation.”
A spokesperson for the Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat said they could not comment on individual cases.
"Individuals are able to resign from the Order and the resignation is effective from the date which it is accepted by the governor-general," the spokesperson said.
"Resignations are published in the Commonwealth Gazette."
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2023-10-17 21:56:46Z
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