Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation ‘devastated’ after Geelong council passes Australia Day motion

A local Aboriginal corporation has labelled a decision by City Hall to celebrate Australia Day again as “divisive” and says it is “devastated” by the controversial move.

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aborignal Corporation board chair Greg Robinson and Geelong councillor Eddy Kontelj.

A local Aboriginal corporation has been left “devastated” by Geelong council’s controversial decision to celebrate Australia Day again, labelling the move a “bewildering step backwards”.

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) has urged City Hall to reconsider the “divisive decision” which has received mixed reactions from the community and local politicians.

Geelong brings back Australia Day - Eloise McCormack and Lyla Marinovic. Picture: Mark Stewart

The motion was introduced by councillor Eddy Kontelj at this week’s council meeting and supported by Trent Sullivan, Andrew Katos, Rowan Story, Chris Burson, Ron Nelson and Mayor Stretch Kontelj.

It effectively overturns a motion from May 2023, underpinned by an extensive community consultation campaign, to not to refer to January 26 as Australia Day and instead recognise the “intergenerational trauma” experienced by Indigenous Australians.

In a statement, WTOAC said the decision was a “bewildering step backwards” and had caused “great hurt” to Indigenous people.

“It is beyond belief that council this week voted to recognise and celebrate Australia Day with events and citizenship ceremonies, with no consultation prior to the vote,” it read.

“Many Australians are ready to learn the truth about what has happened since European settlement by acknowledging that genocide and colonisation are a large part of the history of this nation and have been since 1788.

“They understand that January 26 is not a day for celebration.”

WTOAC board chair Greg Robinson. Picture: Supplied

WTOAC board chair Greg Robinson said the group was “devastated” by Geelong council’s “divisive decision that continues to compound the generational impacts of colonisation on First Nations peoples”.

“This decision adds to the cumulative impact of lifetimes of trauma and harm to the First People of this land through the colonisation of what is now known as Australia,” he said.

“We ask council to reconsider this decision and koling wada ngitj – walk forward together – with us.”

Victorian Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said she had met with Aboriginal leaders who were hurt by the decision.

“We’re seeing divisive politics play out at every level of government and it hurts people,” she said.

“It sends a message to people who have been fighting against racism, inclusion and equality that that fight is going backwards.

“That makes me sad and I think it’s a disappointing decision.”

Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Shadow minister for Aboriginal affairs Melina Bath said Geelong council’s decision was a “win for common sense and pride in our great country”.

“To stop referring to Australia Day and ceasing citizenship ceremonies on the day is just plain wrong,” she said.

“It is not the role of local councils to decide if Australia Day should be celebrated or referred to, and I applaud Geelong council in this case for reconsidering its stance after consultation with the community.”

Originally published as Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation ‘devastated’ after Geelong council passes Australia Day motion