Dubbo Regional Council recommends changing date of Australia Day celebrations

A proposed change to Australia Day celebrations in the state’s central west has been labelled “nonsensical”. Here’s what a council is planning to do.

A regional council in the state’s central west has recommended shifting Australia Day celebrations from January 26, in a proposed move that has been labelled “controversial” and “nonsensical”.

Given January 26 will fall on a Sunday in 2025, Dubbo Regional Council has recommended holding the Australia Day civic ceremony and event for Wellington at 6.30pm on Friday, January 24, 2025 at Cameron Park.

The ceremony and event for Dubbo would be held at 6.30pm on Saturday, January 25, under the recommendation.

Mayor Mathew Dickerson told The Dubbo News residents would have an opportunity to provide feedback to councillors before a final decision is made on July 25.

“The long weekend certainly played a part in that, especially for people of Wellington, they could go to the dam and go skiing or enjoy the Wellington caves or whatever they’d like to do around Wellington,” Mr Dickerson said.

Dubbo Regional Council mayor Mathew Dickerson. Picture: Tijana Birdjan

“There’s a convenience factor for our staff. There’s obviously a lot of work for our staff in preparing Australia Day so, if we could take some of that burden away, it makes it better from that perspective, and the residents could enjoy as much as the long weekend as possible.

“There’s also the Aboriginal sensitivity issue where pain is associated with the day.

“Changing the day of the celebration, not changing the day, seemed like a reasonable thing.”

The 2025 Australian of the Year awards will also be announced on the evening of January 25.

Mr Dickerson emphasised that the council was not changing the date of Australia Day.

“If we went ahead with the recommendation as it stands … you’d be free to enjoy the day in any way you choose to do so,” he said.
For the past two years, Dubbo Regional Council has held Wellington’s Australia Day ceremony on the eve of the public holiday, with residents giving mixed review.

Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi elder Frank Doolan – known as “Riverbank Frank” – said many ratepayers were older residents who were used to observing the national holiday on the date it fell.

Riverbank Frank. Picture: Tijana Birdjan

“Along with the e-scooter trial, the public toilet debacle and the move to rename part of the Tracker Riley Walkway, the move to shift the national day celebration is nonsensical and lacking in merit,” he said.

“Why cloud the waters of what’s already a controversial date?

“[Ratepayers’] views must be considered.”

Joshua Black, a councillor who opposed the recommendation, told The Dubbo News every other public holiday was celebrated on its given date, so Australia Day should not be an exception.

“Until the federal government change the day, I feel like [the celebration] should be on that day,” Mr Black said.

“I’m not necessarily wedded to any particular date.

“It’s more so from a fundamental position that the ceremony should be held on the national day.”