Hobart starting point for historic run
Published on 17 April 2023
The City of Hobart’s historic Town Hall will be the starting point for Run for the Voice with Pat Farmer.
The Run for the Voice is a 14,000km run around Australia over six months led by former politician and now professional ultra-marathon runner Pat Farmer.
Starting in nipaluna/Hobart and finishing symbolically at Uluru, Mr Farmer will run 80km/day every day and be welcomed with a mayoral reception in every major town and city en route around the country.
Mr Farmer’s run will be launched by Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney from the steps of Hobart’s Town Hall.
“I’m delighted that Hobart’s beautiful Town Hall is the starting point for the Run for the Voice,” Cr Reynolds said.
“The Voice referendum is an historic opportunity for the Australian people and I applaud Pat Farmer’s passion to campaign for this important constitutional change.
“Earlier this year I joined Mayors from across Australia to make a statement in support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the upcoming referendum.
“At next week’s Council meeting we’ll be discussing a motion in support of the Voice that I’m bringing to the chamber.”
Mr Farmer, who has also completed the world's longest ultra-marathon, a "Pole to Pole Run" from the North Pole to the South Pole raising $100,000 for Red Cross International, said starting in Hobart was familiar terrain for him.
"I am honoured to be starting my journey across the nation in nipaluna, Hobart, on the lands of the palawa people,” Mr Farmer said.
“I am undertaking this venture because I truly believe a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous voice to parliament is the way forward for all Australians, and I hope that the people of Tasmania will join me.
“Throughout my running career I have always prepared and trained in this area, including on kunanyi / Mount Wellington.
“I sincerely thank the Lord Mayor and the City of Hobart for their support."