Mitcham councillor Darren Kruse launches campaign for Aboriginal flag to fly permanently at Blackwood war memorial
There are three flagpoles by the Blackwood war memorial soldier – and, according to some in the local community, one of those should be dedicated to flying the Aboriginal flag.
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The Aboriginal flag must permanently fly at a prominent hills war memorial, says a Mitcham councillor who has launched a passionate social media campaign for the change.
Councillor Darren Kruse has started a Facebook campaign calling on Blackwood RSL to fly the Aboriginal flag at the high-profile Blackwood Soldier’s Memorial.
There are three flagpoles alongside the Blackwood roundabout memorial; the national flag flies permanently, with the other two used for a variety of other flags.
Blackwood Reconciliation Group started the campaign to have the Aboriginal flag fly at the memorial, with Cr Kruse taking up the cause.
“I believe that the community thinks that reconciliation and the acknowledgment of the stewardship of the land is something that needs to be recognised on a permanent basis,” Cr Kruse told The Messenger.
“I’m not having a go at them (the RSL), but I want them to recognise that the Aboriginal flag should fly there on all occasions, and not just special occasions.”
Mitcham Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross is among community members who have written to the RSL also requesting the change.
“Although the site was created as a war memorial, the community sees the flags as a reflection of community values,” Dr Holmes-Ross wrote.
“As such, many residents are keen for the Aboriginal flag to be flown at the Blackwood site in the recognition of their support for reconciliation.
“I believe that in refusing to do this, the RSL risks serious community backlash.”
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In recent months, Blackwood RSL has flown the Aboriginal flag for Reconciliation Week in May, with the flag only being removed in November for Remembrance Day, on Australia Day and, this month, in honour of the late-mother of local elder Allen Edwards.
Blackwood RSL president Bob Killoran said the flag issue was a logistic problem because the RSL had military and service flags it needed to fly on different occasions.
“The national flag takes pride of place and the two side poles can be switched out for other flags at people’s request and if we can accommodate it,” Mr Killoran said.
“We didn’t say that we won’t fly (the Aboriginal flag), we just said that we can’t fly it every day.”
A Mitcham council spokeswoman said the council worked with all RSL sub-branches in the district regarding the flying of flags, as guided by national protocols.