Local councils remain on the fence over Australia Day celebrations

With more local government areas scrapping Australia Day events, the region has two local councils yet to make an official stance.

The City of Greater Geelong and Golden Plains Shire are sitting on the fence on the future of Australia Day celebrations, days after the Surf Coast Shire pulled its support for January 26.

While the Greater Geelong has not issued awards or hosted January 26 events in recent years, it has avoided taking a stance on the controversial date.

Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan said council had not undertaken formal discussions and was unable to answer if the issue would be brought to the chambers.

“No doubt there would be a mix of views among councillors, as there are in the community, but it is not something we have discussed as a group to this point,” he said.

Like all local governments, the city is required to hold citizenship ceremonies on this day as per the direction of federal government.

A spokesman from the Golden Plains Shire said while the municipality does not usually host any official events, this year they did.

Offcial Australia Day celebrations could be coming to an end across the region.

“In Golden Plains Shire, many residents celebrate Australia Day at local township events held by community groups, including the popular Australia Day breakfasts,” he said.

“Council does not hold an annual Australia Day celebration, however in 2021, for the first time, the municipality was required to hold a citizenship ceremony on January 26 and incorporated the presentation of the Golden Plains Shire Community Awards at this ceremony.

“This year, combining the awards with the required ceremony allowed council to present one community event in the COVID-19 environment, rather than two.”

The spokesman said if the citizenship ceremonies are not a requirement in 2022, council would return to its traditional presentation of the community awards to increase attendance.

The news comes as the Surf Coast Shire this week made its commitment to reconciliation by voting to stop official celebrations and flying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at half-mast on January 26.

Last month it was reported that the Borough of Queenscliffe would officially scrap their annual celebrations following the feedback from local community groups.

Shire pulls out of Australia Day celebrations

Surf Coast Shire has made its commitment to reconciliation clear, with council voting to scrap official celebrations while flying the flags at half-mast on January 26.

The decision was made after a heated debate at Tuesday’s council meeting, with six councillors voting in favour of the motion which states the council will not recognise January 26 as a day of celebration.

Cr Kate Gazzard said the decision to fly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at half-mast was a statement of reconciliation.

“People loudly celebrating and getting drunk is very insulting and I believe we should change the date but the first step is to acknowledge mourning which we can do by lowering flags and not engaging in celebrations,” she said.

“Having a public holiday and a chance to have a ‘piss up’ is the main reason people want to celebrate and that can be done on another date.”

Paul Davis, chief executive officer of Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation said the day causes a lot of “harm and discomfort” for Aboriginal people.

“We know a lot of the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners here don’t wish to celebrate that day, and I respect that,” he said.

“I guess my personal view is that I think we haven’t yet completed the conversations about Australia Day, Invasion Day or Survival Day as some people chose to call it.”

The Shire will continue to provide planning permits to community groups however Mayor Libby Stapleton said it would be inappropriate for the council to fund any celebratory events or to attend under official duties.

Cr Paul Barker who voted against the motion said the decision did not resonate with the majority of local residents.

Surf Coast Shire will not support Australia Day celebrations.

“We live in multicultural society and need to consider more points of view,” he said.

“If we keep forcing change on the community without bringing them along it will cause more division.”

During the meeting, Cr Adrian Schonfelder compared January 26 to Anzac Day celebrations.

He said the day was a reflection of Australia being settled, rather than invaded, and it was his understanding that not all First Nations people were offended by the celebrations.

Under the motion, the council will continue to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26, which is a federal government requirement.

Senator Sarah Henderson said banning the celebrations was treating Surf Coast residents with contempt.

“At a time when our community needs hope and unity, these proposals fuel community dissent and division,” she said.

“During the pandemic, we have already bore the brunt of so many cancelled events. The Surf Coast community should not have to put up with this deliberate attempt to wreck our national day of celebration.”

Earlier this month it was reported that the Borough of Queenscliffe also carried a motion to ban official Australia Day celebrations, while the City of Greater Geelong said they do not host any events apart from citizenship ceremonies on January 26.

Cr Mike Bodsworth said the decision would not be welcomed by everyone, but he believed most would understand its need.

“Terrible injustices and damages have occurred in the past and keep resonating through the present, but we are doing what we can to try and address that.”

Originally published as Local councils remain on the fence over Australia Day celebrations