Hills Shire councillors lectured by doctor on importance of ‘thank you’ over acknowledgment rejection

A HILLS doctor has schooled Liberal councillors on the importance of saying ‘thank you’ — after a notice of motion to acknowledge traditional custodians was shot down earlier this month in the Hills Shire Council.

Dr Annemarie Christie pictured at the Hills Literacy and Learning centre in Castle Hill

A HILLS doctor has lectured Liberal councillors on the importance of saying ‘thank you’ — after a notice of motion to acknowledge traditional custodians was shot down earlier this month in the Hills Shire Council.

Castle Hill resident, Dr Annemarie Christie said despite the majority of councillors objecting to traditional acknowledgment on several occasions, all failed to provide reasoning behind their decision.

Dr Annemarie Christie, The Children's Doctor Kellyville

“It is now commonplace for the traditional custodians of the land to be acknowledged at the commencement of any public meeting,” Dr Christie said.
“This practice has evolved over the last two decades and is now routine at most gatherings.

“So why has the Hills Shire Council rejected the acknowledgment of traditional custodians?”

Dr Christie said everyone from Federal Government to childcare groups across the Hills acknowledge traditional custodians.

The Darug elders and several Hills Shire councillors held a smoking ceremony to protest the council shooting down attempts to include an Acknowledgement of country in the council meetings.

“While some may see Acknowledgement of Country as an empty token gesture or political correctness gone mad, indigenous Elders have described it as “a very important way of giving Aboriginal people back their place in society,” she said.

“I spend a fair proportion of every day asking children to say “thank you”.

“We do it because we want to demonstrate good manners, our children follow our example when it comes to behaviour. We hope that through repetition and learning by example, it will no longer be tokenistic but will become heartfelt and sincere.”

After leaving the chamber following the conclusion of Public Forum, Dr Christie’s address was questioned by Liberal councillor Mike Thomas.

1975: PM Gough Whitlam with traditional land owner Vincent Lingiari. Photograph taken by Mervyn Bishop.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull takes part in a smoking ceremony on the forecourt of Parliament House in Canberra marking the opening of the 45th federal Parliament. Picture: Ray Strange.

“To presume that there is not overwhelming support for council’s position in the community tells me that these people are not informed on the community’s position,” Cr Thomas said.

“I am troubled when I hear people coming to the lectern to lecture us and to say ‘listen to my point of view, my point of view is more important than the community that elected you’.

“I reject that out of hand.

“It troubles me that these people think their opinion are so important that they should override everyone elses.”