October 22, 2010 

The Constitution Education Fund Australia (CEFA) and Randwick City Council jointly hosted a preview screening of what Australia can expect from the AusCivics Film Festivals in 2011 on Wednesday October 20^th, 2010.  Educators, school principals, important community leaders attended along with the cast and crew involved in the production of the AusCivics Film Festival program featuring the inspirational Australian film ‘Broken Hill.’ The feedback received was very positive from all sides. 

The famous Australian author and CEFA Trustee, Mr Thomas Keneally, addressed the distinguished audience. He reminded everyone of Australia’s cultural diversity and noted that regardless of one’s ethnicity we are all Australians and the best way to express our voice and aspirations in the Australian democracy is through understanding and valuing our right to vote.

Above: Representatives from Urban Arts Base attending in
support of the AusCivics Film Festival at Randwick

The Executive Director of CEFA, Mrs Kerry Jones, also addressed the audience and remarked that a number of communities around the country have been previewing the AusCivics Film Festival. All have reacted enthusiastically to the program. She asked the audience to carry the important message that the Australian Constitution is of paramount importance in our national life.

 

Above: Young attendees coming to explore and understand
the importance of the Australian Constitution in a new and exciting way

 

Mrs Jones further added ‘in a robust democracy every votes count and this becomes especially important in elections like the recent Federal Election which delivered Australia a ‘hung’ parliament.’ She encouraged the audience to tell friends and family to further explore democratic ideas and participate in engaging competitions on civics at our curriculum resources website www.auscivics.org.au

Mrs Jones told the audience of the evidence suggesting that young Australians know very little about our constitution. The Constitution Education Fund Australia (CEFA) therefore feels that it is nothing short of a national imperative to create a new generation of active and engaged citizens.

The AusCivics Film Festivals are designed to raise awareness of our constitution and system of government in creative and contemporary ways. She thanked everyone who were involved in the production of the program expressed her hope that the importance of civics education will expand its reach with the AusCivics Festivals to be held in 2011.