City of Greater Shepparton to vote on lobby effort to change Australia Day

Another council will debate whether the date of Australia Day should be changed, and whether the Aboriginal flag should fly at half-mast. What do you think?

A northern Victorian city will decide whether they should lobby for a change to the date of Australia Day, while acknowledging the debate has a “high” risk of sowing community division.

Councillors at the City of Greater Shepparton were set to meet on Tuesday to discuss the proposal, however the meeting has been postponed due to flooding.

Council officers have recommended the City write to the Federal Government to change the date of Australia Day and remove a requirement for councils to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26.

The proposal also includes lowering the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flag to half-mast at council facilities and reviewing grant guidelines to encourage recipients to reflect Australia’s “full history” at events on January 26.

If endorsed, Greater Shepparton will begin a community consultation process to decide on holding a day of celebration not on January 26 “that is inclusive, reflects the full history of Australia, and is culturally respectful”.

The move comes after a community stakeholder group met between July and August to discuss the “complex and contested” topic.

Made up of representatives from Australia Day committees, Aboriginal organisations and non-Aboriginal organisations, the stakeholder group advised council to broaden the discussion and invite more people to participate.

“There is an opportunity to work towards what is best for the community of Greater

Shepparton that allows all to come together, acknowledge and celebrate in ways that

are unique to this community,” the reference group summarised.

“Change is important but the way you do change is crucial.”

In agenda documents for the council meeting, Greater Shepparton acknowledges the move is “almost certain” to cause community division but say they will continue further community discussion.

The council first began exploring changes to Australia Day in September last year and established the reference group in December to provide local advice.

Ahead of the 2022 Australia Day celebrations then-mayor Kim O’Keeffe said the day was an opportunity to reflect on Australia’s history and diversity.

“We recognise that Australia Day is not a celebration for everyone in our community,” she said.

“The day provides an opportunity for us to acknowledge, learn and understand our country’s past.”

Several Victorian councils, including Melbourne, Yarra, Moreland and Darebin, have previously endorsed moves to campaign for a change of the date.