Older age is often viewed as a monotonous period of physical and mental decline. But sometimes situations change, and we find ourselves with fresh interests and activities. Joining a seniors’ gym, as I did at age 75, brought a bunch of new friends as well as improved strength, balance, cardiovascular fitness, and the stimulus of endorphin release.

In recent years, the growing impact of social Marxism has made me feel alienated from much of the life and culture of my nation and concerned for the future for my grandchildren. For the first time in my hitherto ‘quiet Australian’ political life I began writing letters to the ABC complaints department about their obvious political bias. Then, as my trust in the national broadcaster decreased, I ceased watching the ABC 7.30 Report altogether. I began comparing ABC and SBS news stories with those from Sky News Australia and The Australian. I stopped reading the Sydney Morning Herald and subscribed to The Spectator Australia and Quadrant magazines.

Constitutional recognition of Indigenous Aboriginal Australians initially appeared to be reasonable. But the implications of a Voice in the Constitution began to be unravelled by conservative commentators. I formed the view that it was as undemocratic as it was unlikely to achieve its claim to improve the lives of the most marginalised Aboriginal communities. All this despite the soothing words of politicians and elites, including some from my own tribe, the academy. The Burden of Culture by Gary Johns and The Politics of Suffering by Peter Sutton added depth to my reading about Indigenous people as did several online articles including some from a biblical perspective. I wrote to the leaders of my church asking them not to support either side. My letters about Voice matters were published in the local and national press. For the first time in my life, I made donations to a political party for advertising that opposed the Voice. I listened attentively to the National Press Club speeches of Warren Mundine, Jacinta Price, and Noel Pearson. Finally, I donned a ‘Vote No’ shirt and stood outside a suburban pre-polling booth offering how-to-vote ‘No’ leaflets. My old age radicalisation was complete!

Now that the Australian electorate has soundly rejected the proposal to introduce a divisive, race-based, permanent inequality into the Constitution … what is next? Next, for Australia, seems to recrimination and blaming by the losing ‘Yes’ side without any acknowledgement that they promoted a flawed proposal. ‘No’ for me is more personal. I have a deeper sympathy for the abused Indigenous women and children and the men for whom there is no work in remote communities. Those who want to change their situation must be supported. I have also experienced what it is like to hand out how-to-vote literature. At the next election, I will meet the swarm of Teal/Green/Labor folk in my eastern suburbs electorate with an ‘I’m good thanks’ smile while not taking their literature. The likely few, conservative, pamphleteers will get a ‘thumbs up’, a quiet ‘good on yer’ or a pat on the shoulder.