Geelong Advertiser readers get behind Australia Day date switch, Torquay event pushes on

An organiser of an Australia Day event being held at Torquay says it’s important to keep celebrating the nation on the prescribed date, as an Addy reader poll shows overwhelming support for a shift away from January 26.

Thousands of Geelong Advertiser readers have got behind changing the date of Australia Day

About 85 per cent of more than 4,000 respondents on a Geelong Advertiser social media poll voted to change the date from January 26.

But one event organiser, frustrated at the local council’s decision to pull support for nation celebrations on the prescribed date, says they will push on with festivities until which time a less controversial date is set.

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Paul Davis said a number of Traditional Owners have expressed they would like to see the date of Australia Day celebrations changed.

Calls to change Australia Day, the flag, anthem, and the idea of becoming a republic are loud and constant. Now, a new poll has revealed what we want and don’t want changed. FULL STORY: https://bit.ly/33AhbTP

Posted by Geelong Advertiser on Sunday, January 23, 2022

“It is one of those issues where there is a variety of views among the population and personally it’s not for me to say but I am very supportive of people understanding more about the significance of that date to Aboriginal people,” he said.

“The more people can avoid focusing on just single days of they year and take it upon themselves to get educated on Australia’s history and the significance of Aboriginal culture.”

Irene Stokes, who will run an event on Wednesday at Torquay foreshore, said until an alternative date was declared by the federal government, it was important to continue to celebrate the nation.

She said the Surf Coast Shire’s decision to stop holding Australia Day events and pull funding support usually given the community groups had been “very upsetting for many residents around here”.

“The debate is one thing, but when councils and other organisations make these decisions to cancel events it is very divisive, and it doesn’t need to be like that,” she said.

“Reconciliation is a good thing, but you don’t help one group by disadvantaging another and that is what they are doing.”

Ms Stokes said while she does not believe activists who have “hijacked” the celebrations would be open to a new date, she said it is important it is not cancelled all together.

“Australia is the best country in the world, it has provided safe refugee to refugees, migrants and it is a multicultural success that has allowed people to come here and build a life,” she said.

“Surely that is worth celebrating.”

The Torquay event will be attended by Senator Sarah Henderson, Corangamite Liberal candidate Stephanie Asher and Surf Coast Shire councillors Heather Wellington and Paul Barker, who are all in support of the celebrations.

Ms Henderson has expressed her concerns over the Shire’s decision stating the politicisation of the day was “divisive and regrettable.”

“I remain deeply disappointed that the Surf Coast Shire cancelled support for Australia Day celebrations, voted to fly Australian and Aboriginal flags at half-mast and abandoned community events run by the Anglesea and Torquay Lions,” she said.

“Australia Day is a time for all Australians to reflect on our achievements and past including our wrongs against Indigenous Australians.”

Acting Surf Coast Shire Mayor Liz Pattison said this year will be the first time council acknowledges January 26 as a difficult day for many First Nations people.

“I’m proud of council’s decision, and believe it’s an important step on council’s reconciliation journey,” she said.

“People in our community are welcome to acknowledge this date in a way that is right for them.

“We know not everyone will agree with this decision however through consultation we have

heard clearly that it has strong community support.”

Originally published as Geelong Advertiser readers get behind Australia Day date switch, Torquay event pushes on