Australian of the Year winners sign open letter saying no vote in voice referendum would be a ‘shameful dead end’

Two dozen former winners back yes vote as ‘a step to a more united and cohesive nation’ and say referendum an opportunity to ‘right some wrongs’

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Psychiatrist Patrick McGorry says his fear of “tremendous damage” to mental health if the Indigenous voice to parliament is rejected by voters drove him to spearhead an open letter from two dozen former Australian of the Year winners backing the change.

The letter has the support of Dylan Alcott, Rosie Batty, Taryn Brumfitt, Rob de Castella, Mick Dodson, Peter Doherty, John Farnham, Tim Flannery, Cathy Freeman, Adam Goodes, Evonne Goolagong, Shane Gould, Richard Harris, Grace Tame and others, as well as the former chair of the Australia Day Council, Adam Gilchrist.

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