Dubbo Regional Council: Councillors to decide when to hold Australia Day ceremony

A council in the Central West have decided to host next year’s Australia Day ceremony events on two separate days. Here’s the latest.

Despite more than 63 per cent of community residents in the state’s west wanting to keep Australia Day events on the national holiday, a NSW council will host the next year’s ceremony on the eve of January 26.

Dubbo Regional Council have supported holding the Wellington Australia Day ceremony on the evening on January 25, 2024, at 6.30pm and the Dubbo event on the following morning at 8am - a similar program to this year’s events.

Deputy mayor Richard Ivey confirmed the “success” of this year’s Wellington event which was celebrated on January 25, saying that it “managed to really help assimilate different views” while recognising First Nations people.

More than 100 people completed a community data survey which was open for 19 days conducted by council staff.

Dubbo Regional Council offices. Picture: Ryan Young

Over 85 per cent of survey respondents agreed to keep the Dubbo celebrations on Australia Day.

“I would be very very keen to maintain the Wellington event on the eve of Australia Day rather than switch it back,” Mr Ivey told council’s chambers.

He described the last event as a “test” which recieved positive feedback and claimed “it would be a mistake” for the event to be celebrated on Australia Day.

Councillor Pam Wells shared her disagreements with hosting the Dubbo ceremony on January 26, saying hosting the event the day before would be a “courageous move” for council.

“I know it’s a lot of stress and impact on our staff and I know that’s challenging... but I’m more in favour of having both events not occurring on the 26th for the reasons why we eventually changed,” she said.

“I don’t agree with having any events on the 26th.”

Robert Bownes, of Dubbo, said he does not mind what day the celebrations fall as long as the “weather is good”.

Dubbo resident Robert Bownes. Photo: Tijana Birdjan

Dubbo resident James Waugh. Photo: Tijana Birdjan

James Waugh also does not mind what day council chooses to celebrate the event.

Tom Toohey, of Dubbo, said the Australia Day ceremonies should be celebrated on the 26th.

“I think it has a lot of meaning - there is a purpose on why it is the 26th and all this commentary about changing it, I believe we should keep with tradition and keep it as it is,” Mr Toohey said.

Paul Roe said that if the celebrations are kept on January 26th, an effort needs to be made to be more inclusive, “not only for Aboriginal people but for new immigrants”.

Dubbo friends Paul Roe and Tom Toohey. Photo: Tijana Birdjan

“Australia is changing very fast so a shift in the date, I’m not sure it’s going to change things that much - what’s got to shift is what is in your heart,” he said.

“The way we are towards one another, we have to be reconciled - it doesn’t matter what day it is - we need to be reconciled and I think that’s the main thing.”