HANDS UP FOR DEMOCRACY ... by Mary Christian Bailey

This article appeared on NorfolkOnline. I urge you to subscribe to Alison Christian's excellent weekly newsletter to keep up to date with what happens on Norfolk Island.

It all started with a casual Facebook message.

Back on  19th June, just hours after the dismissal and the final meeting of the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly, many folk were just looking for a tangible way of expressing their anger and grief. So when Josie said “What about a show of hands?”, lots of people jumped on board and gave the hands up idea some “legs” so to speak.

The original plan was to make cardboard hands attached to a skewer, and to plant them on a hillside at Kingston. The idea was to produce a visual expression of how people felt, and especially to give Norfolkers living and working away from the island a chance to be represented in the protest. It was also felt that the display would show the Commonwealth personnel, onlookers, visitors and the media the strength of feeling on the island.

It was not long before it was decided that something of a more permanent nature was needed, and Troy offered his property adjacent to Foodies (YES Headquarters) for the project. A date was decided on (September 27) and a number of people proceeded to pitch in to make it a reality.

Requests soon began to flow in from people who wanted to be represented by a hand, and this included lots of those “away” who were grieving about what was happening to their island home, and were feeling frustrated that their voices could not be heard.


Ply and timber and paint were needed, and much of this was donated. Sheds were made available to carry out the work. Hand stencils were created from sponge, and the small army of helpers were kept busy as the trickle of names started to grow to a deluge. While some donated  a great deal of time and effort to producing the hands, and attaching the names, people like Maeve and Edie provided food and refreshments to help sustain them.


An area was roped off in the paddock, and the first hands were planted. It was a real “grassroots” operation! The names kept coming in, more hands were produced, and the area was extended. Many locals and visitors were starting to show a keen interest in the project, and it was decided to imprint hands onto larger boards so folk could attach their names on the spot.



Finally the day of protest arrived. It was a beautiful Norfolk Spring Day, and there was almost a Carnival atmosphere as hundreds of Norfolkers and their supporters gathered at the hospital corner to commence the March for Democracy. Others lined the road, and others waited opposite the field of hands for the Marchers to arrive.



Many flags both large and small.were waving,  and others were draped over shoulders, attached to strollers and parked vehicles. There were also many traditional plaited hats and Bounty outfits being worn, so that people could make a statement about their pride in their heritage. A few carried banners.



Rob’s drone captured this great aerial shot!



The police did a marvellous job with traffic management. But “crowd control” was not an issue, because the people of Norfolk Island conducted themselves in their usual peaceful and dignified manner. Microphones were set up close to the entrance driveway, while the crowd stationed themselves for the most part on the other side of the road.



There were speeches, and the Ukelele players and the Baunti Byutis added to atmosphere of celebration and island pride. The Norfolk flag was raised, accompanied by the singing of God Save the Queen. Later, we had the very moving experience of being led in the singing of the Pitcairn Anthem by opera singer Byron Watson, who is a Norfolk Islander.





At the conclusion of the more formal ceremonies, many took the opportunity of wandering among the hands, looking for “their hand” and noting the names. We should point out that by this time the number of hands had grown to over 1000, and many were still asking to add their own. A sausage sizzle had been set up, which was especially appreciated by those who had been very busy up to the last minute banging those stakes into the ground.



Notices were posted to explain the purpose of the display:

“Hands Up for Democracy is an initiative of people of Norfolk Island. It is designed to show in a tangible and visible way our concern and distress that the Commonwealth Government has removed our freely elected government, and left us with no real say in what happens to our island home. This has been done without consultation or negotiation, and against the will of the people of Norfolk Island as clearly expressed in a referendum.

The Commonwealth has refused to acknowledge the unique cultural and ethnic heritage of the Norfolk Island people, and their special relationship to Norfolk Island, which was granted to them as their home by Queen Victoria in 1856.

We thank you for your interest and support.”

Now social media had played a big part in organising this event, and it was social media that later showed how people had felt about it. One lady said:
“It was a wonderful idea that brought us all together in UNITY!
Thank you to the organisers and the "hand painting" volunteers. It was an emotional and heartwarming event and your efforts really paid off.
I am so proud to belong to this community... my chosen place to live... my home.”

Another person, a proud Norfolk Islander living and working away, wrote:
“From far away we feel how much love and strength and a whole togetherness. Bin dar hard f c and read about and u all come together to show not oonie yorlie orn Norfolks strength but also u did it f awa over ya. I bin tull before thankyou but you nor realise how much se touch myse heart and i know many of awa up ya.”
Another local described the experience of wandering among the hands and names as “sobering, heartening and reassuring.”



I asked for a list of names so we could acknowledge all those who worked so hard to make this day happen. I was told that this was not about individuals, but “about the people of Norfolk Island.” And if you had been there and seen all those who gathered in support, young and old, Norfolk Islanders, long term settlers, newcomers and visitors, you would have felt very encouraged that so many want to see justice and democracy for Norfolk Island.

By the way, at the last count, there had been more than 1300 requests for names – and the number is growing each day as the word gets around!