The answer is no

Despite the best efforts and modest request for change by Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the majority of Australia's non-Indigenous population voted NO in the Voice Referendum yesterday.

Rob and I were very engaged with the Voice campaign so both of us are feeling sad today about the outcome and also very concerned about how our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters are feeling about this rejection of their modest request. 

Our only comfort is that Canberra voted overwhelmingly YES - the only jurisdiction in Australia that did..... and I would predict that our local Ainslie booth would have voted YES in even greater numbers. We feel lucky to live in such a kind, positive, outward looking and well-educated community, unlike many other parts of Australia.

Other than this sadness and our worries about this week's events in the Middle East we've had a good week with some quality time with Abi. We spent last Sunday morning out at Redlands with her. We are both in awe at the way she handles Ringo, the 16.2 gelding, full of hard excitable muscle and a low tolerance for the tie up space and tack up time! But Abi doesn't take any shit from Ringo - ever!

Once he's saddled up and in the arena Ringo is more amenable. I know I'm biased, but Abi and Ringo definitely look the most stylish and well-coordinated pairing in the arena!

Abi's former pony Harry is currently without a rider so Abi has taken on the extra duty of keeping him exercised on her regular visits to Redland. She gave us a demonstration of her lunging skills last Sunday. It's very technical and she is seriously good at it (of course!).

As an added bonus we had a few hours after school with Abi during the week - afternoon tea at a cafe and time for a good uninterrupted chat - just priceless.

we've had two more restaurant outings over the past week or so too - more birthday festival celebrations!! and I am still having fun on the sewing machine.... still on my campaign to have a more sustainable wardrobe.