Clarence Valley Council shifts citizens of year awards to January 25
The date for Australia Day is on the nose for some, prompting Clarence Valley Council to steer clear of it when it honours the district’s top citizens. Here’s why.
Grafton
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Clarence Valley Council has voted unanimously to move its annual citizens of the year ceremony to January 25 - the day before Australia Day.
The motion, prepared by the Corporate & Governance Directorate, was out at council’s meeting on Tuesday, August 22, and noted the significant sensitivity to the date of January 26.
“There has been some community pushback and less participation (in the awards) because Clarence Valley Council celebrates and hosts this event on Australia Day,” the council recommendation noted.
January 26 is the date on which Arthur Phillip claimed Australia as a British colony - and it holds significance as a day of mourning for First Nations people.
The date is likened by some as ‘Invasion Day’ or ‘Survival Day’.
“Previous years have seen our First Nations people reluctant to celebrate,” the report stated.
The motion recommended that council hold its Citizens of the Year Awards on January 25, in line with the National Australian of the Year Awards.
“Not celebrating a day of actual hurt is definitely a step in the right direction,” Mudyala Aboriginal Corporation CEO Anieka Kapeen said.
“It’s a win for the wider community.”
The local awards were previously held on January 25, but moved to January 26 after changes by the then-Morrison Government to the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code.
The 2023 ceremonies are set to be held in Grafton.
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