Welcome to country gets cold shoulder at Hills Council

A MOVE to include a Welcome to Country to acknowledge the traditional land owners — the Darug people — at future Hills Shire Council meetings has been killed by a majority of Liberal councillors.

Darug elders Ross Fogg and Cheryl Goh with Barbara Somerville.

HOPES of including an Acknowledgment of the Traditional Land Owners, the Darug people, at future Hills Shire Council meetings didn’t even come close to reaching first base at Tuesday night’s council meeting.

The Notice of Motion put by ALP councillors Ryan Tracey, Tony Hay and Ray Harty failed to win the support of Liberal councillors apart from Cr Mark Taylor who is also State MP for Seven Hills.

Their notice to move changes to Council’s Code of Meeting Practice at the next council general meeting to include the acknowledgment that the meeting was being held on the traditional lands of the Darug people was nipped in the bud by the majority of Liberal councillors.

In an appeal to the chamber Cr Ryan Tracey said: “It’s time The Hills Shire Council acknowledged the traditional owners of the land.

“We have a role to play in this. It is not just a symbolic gesture,” he said.

ALP Councillor Ryan Tracey.

Seven Hills Liberal MP Mark Taylor was the only Liberal councillor to support the move.

Cr Ray Harty tabled cabinet policy and protocols regarding the acknowledgment of traditional owners for all State Governments and the Federal Government.

“It is time for the Hills Shire Council to join the rest and have it included in our Code of Meeting Practice,” he said.

Cr Peter Gangemi said he welcomed the debate but the move was a “tokenistic gesture”

“I see no need to change.” He said it enhanced past divides instead of encouraging the entire community to work together.

Cr Mike Thomas said: “We have residents from many different countries in the Shire. I am so proud we treat people equally.”

ALP Cr Ray Harty supported the move.

Cr Tony Hay also supported the move.

The notice of motion followed efforts by local Darug elders Ros Fogg and Cheryl Goh, and Kellyville resident Barbara Somerville, who spoke to the Times on June 20 about their desire for change.

After the meeting councillor Tracey said he was disappointed by the decision by the Liberal majority on council.

“Of course this is a disappointing outcome, without any doubt our Local Government has a part to play in reconciliation.

“I look forward to progressing this matter, on behalf of Darug elders and the general community.”

There have been two previous failed attempts by Labor councillors to change council’s code of meeting practice to include words that paid respect to the Darug people.

Of the 34 councils that make up the Sydney metropolitan area, 22 have an “acknowledgment of country” as part of their meetings including Hornsby, Hawkesbury and Parramatta. Blacktown City Council has “welcome to country” at key civic events.