Woollahra Mayor Richard Shields: ‘Why I will overturn ban on Australia Day ceremony’

One of Sydney’s leading mayors has lifted the lid on why he will work to overturn a ban on Australia Day ceremonies in Sydney’s east. See his stance here.

A Sydney mayor has revealed his reasoning behind a push to overturn a ban Australia Day citizenship ceremonies in the city’s east.

Woollahra Council Mayor Richard Shields, who took over from the long-serving Susan Wynne late last year, says his council is one of several which will not hold citizenship ­ceremonies on January 26 – a decision he will try to overturn.

Cr Richard Shields . Picture: John Appleyard

“As mayor, I am obligated to follow the resolution of Woollahra Council (to ban citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day), but I am proud that I voted against the policy and will be moving a rescission motion next year,” he says.

“The 26th of January represents the arrival of our democratic and legal institutions, which are the foundations of our great nation.

“These foundations are the basis for freedom and tolerance and are what attracts new citizens to Australia. Acknowledging our First Nations people and their role in making Australia great is critical.

“Australia’s greatness is built on the foundations of both First Nations people and the arrival of the First Fleet, and both should be celebrated.”

In February 2023, Woollahra Council voted to no longer hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day from January this year.

Shields, seeking re-election in September, has also unveiled his comprehensive vision for the council for 2024. He outlines key initiatives, including infrastructure development, environmental sustainability and economic growth.

While supporting cycleways, he expresses reservations about the proposed Oxford St cycleway, emphasising the need to balance progress with local concerns.

“I am not against cycleways, but I do not support the proposed Oxford St cycleway in its current form as it would be disruptive to small businesses and road users,” he says. “Oxford St is one of two major arterial roads into the eastern suburbs and the proposed cycleway would halve the number of lanes from four down to two, which would have an enormous effect on traffic flow.”

Shields expressed reservations about the proposed Oxford St cycleway. Picture: Julian Andrews

The Woollahra Active Transport Plan’s O’Sullivan Rd cycleway project is set to enter the community feedback phase.

“We will look forward to sharing it with the community and asking for their feedback in February,” Shields says.

Shields also highlights ongoing projects, including pedestrian upgrades along Bay St, Double Bay, and the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

“Our improvements, which coincided with the upgrade of the Double Bay Ferry Wharf, include a new pedestrian plaza, paving, seating and trees,” he says.

“The upgrades improve the connection between the ferry, Steyne Park, Double Bay Beach and onwards along Bay St to the rest of the commercial centre.”

The upgrade makes commuting from Double Bay easier and safer, the mayor says.

Woollahra, Waverley and Randwick councils recently adopted Leading the Charge: Eastern Suburbs Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy 2023. Shields says it outlines the vision and infrastructure required to service the growing numbers of EVs on our roads.

“We currently have 14 public charging ports in Woollahra, six of which are owned by the council and are accessible to the public for a fee,” he says.

“By the end of 2025, we will need approximately 100 ports, and by 2030, 360 ports will be required to keep up with demand for public EV chargers.”

The council is rolling out seven street pole chargers as part of a 12-month trial led by utility company Intellihub, with funding from the Australian Government Australian Renewable Energy Agency.

Plans for the Wilberforce car park (front facade).

Shields says the council has also partnered with an advertising company for bus shelter advertising to generate revenue for the council. He says that by partnering with oOh!media, the council plans to deploy digital signage on 39 bus shelters, displaying a mix of paid advertising and council messages, including information about local events and environmental initiatives.

The mayor has also unveiled plans for the Wilberforce car park construction, aiming to address longstanding parking demands in the Rose Bay commercial centre and stimulate economic growth.

In community engagement, Shields initiated an Anzac Day writing competition involving students from 21 local schools.

Additionally, he will unveil the portrait of Dutchie Backhouse, Woollahra’s first female mayor, on International Women’s Day at the Woollahra Library.

REFUGE’S EXHIBITION TO TAKE OVER GALLERY

Eastern suburbs resident Ayla Khater, who fled war-torn Syria at three, has now inspired the mayor of Woollahra with her resilience and artistic talent.

Now 10, Ayla and her mother, Chantal Mousad, arrived in Australia in 2017 as refugees on a humanitarian visa for women at risk.

Mayor Richard Shields first met the family in November during Ayla’s art exhibition at the Woollahra Gallery at Redleaf.

“At the exhibition, Ayla shared some of the stories behind her remarkable artworks and her own personal journey, fleeing war-torn Syria and finding safety in Australia with her mum,” he says.

“I was so inspired by Ayla’s passion and her commitment to helping others. Her exhibition raised more than $1000 for Syrian children in need.

Shields met young refugee Ayla at a local exhibition and was inspired by her story. Picture: John Appleyard

“To me, Ayla represents what it means to be Australian. She has displayed great courage, resilience, generosity of spirit and a positive, can-do attitude.

“We were proud to support Ayla and her exhibition and we are all looking forward to seeing what she does next.”

Ayla says she sells her art to raise money for the less fortunate Syrian children who were still stuck in the war zone.

“I had to flee my country because of war … and I am doing an exhibition to raise money for the orphaned kids in Syria who lost their parents in war,” she says.

She says her artworks vary in style, using papier-mache and recycled materials, featuring both large and small pieces, creating a unique collection.

“My artwork is not just something you would see in an art gallery like a normal painting. You would only see it in my imagination, in my culture,” she says.

Ayla’s mother says drawing and creating art is her way of escaping reality. During times of sadness or depression, she finds solace in spending hours drawing and creating art. Art became her coping mechanism for dealing with life challenges, she says.