Indigenous activist calls to have the Aboriginal flag flown on Sydney’s Harbour Bridge 365 days of the year – and says she’ll pay for the move herself
- Cheree Toka, is fighting to have the Aboriginal flag flown 365 days a year
- The Indigenous activist has been lobbying the government for three years
- The Indigenous flag is currently only flown on Harbour Bridge for 19 days a year
- Ms Toka is now planning to raise $300,000 to cover the cost of the flag
An Indigenous activist has been fighting for three years to have the Aboriginal flag flown on Sydney’s Harbour Bridge 365 days a year – instead of its current 19 day stint.
Cheree Toka, 29, has now taken it upon herself to raise the $300,000 needed to raise the flag after suffering constant setbacks by the NSW Government.
She had nearly won her battle when she handed a 140,000 signature strong petition to Parliament last year only to be told the construction of a third flag was ‘too costly’.
The Harbour Bridge currently flies the Australian flag and the NSW state flag, with the Aboriginal flag making rare appearances on days such as Australia day and National Sorry Day on May 26.
Indigenous activist Cheree Toka, 29, has been fighting for three years to have the Aboriginal flag flown permanently on Sydney’s Harbour Bridge
Currently the Aboriginal flag flies alongside the Australian flag just 19 days of the year
Within the last week, Ms Toka has launched a new petition and fundraiser to change the government’s mind.
‘I was stunned by the final hurdle in respectfully recognising the land the bridge is built on came down to cost,’ Ms Toka said.
‘The solution, I will pay for it myself.
‘It will send a clear and powerful message to NSW leaders that Australians won’t settle for anything less.’
Ms Toka said most people were ‘stunned’ to learn the flag wasn’t not always flown on Sydney’s most iconic landmark.
‘To see it fly permanently alongside the Australian and New South Wales flags will recognise and celebrate our indigenous heritage each and every day,’ she said.
Her GoFundMe page to cover the cost of the flag has raised more than $18,000 in a week.
Ms Toka’s issue was debated in parliament last year but was knocked back due to the construction of a third flag being ‘too costly’
The 29-year-old admitted she thought the battle would be ‘easy’ but is still fighting three years later
She has also started a Change.org petition which has so far gained more than 162,000 signatures.
During the time her issue was debated in parliament, she was ultimately knocked down by Transport Minister Andrew Constance.
‘I’m sick of telling them how I feel. I’ve made every argument there is to make. Let’s just get it moving,’ Ms Toka previously told SBS News.
The 29-year-old initially thought her mission would be ‘easy’ and that the government were ‘bound to say yes’ to a young Aboriginal woman representing her culture.
‘They want me to give up so I shut up. That’s not going to happen,’ she said.
‘What can we do to ensure these tragedies, these families who’ve lost everything are never forgotten? Honour them.’
Within the last week, Ms Toka has launched a GoFundMe to help raise the $300,000 funds needed to construct the flag
The NSW government has previously said they have no plans to raise a third flag on the bridge.
NSW Transport have said that a third flag would not fit as it could obstruct views to an aircraft navigational beacon tower that sits between the two current flags.
But one ally has emerged, with Liberal candidate for the Lord Mayor of Sydney Christine Forster, saying she will support the cause.
Ms Forster said he hoped the flag would be flown ‘sooner than later’.
The Aboriginal flag is flown in place of the NSW state flag during National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee week, Reconciliation Week, Australia Day and National Sorry Day – a total of 19 days.
Ms Toka (pictured with NRL star Greg Inglis) says she won’t give up her fight