Strathbogie Shire Council to scrap Australia Day celebrations

A council in Victoria’s northeast will axe Australia Day celebrations as of next year. Find out why.

Strathbogie Shire Council will no longer celebrate Australia Day as of January 26 next year. Picture: Supplied

A council in Victoria’s northeast will no longer celebrate Australia Day, in an effort to recognise First Nations people.

Strathbogie Shire Council is the latest in a string of council to refuse to hold celebrations for the public holiday.

Mayor Laura Binks said it was a day that caused “great pain to the First Nations people”.

“We are a council that supports inclusion and there is a portion of our community whose experiences of January 26 are a reminder of the dispossession and ongoing effects and impacts of colonisation,” Ms Binks said.

“It is simply not okay to turn a blind eye to this pain and suffering.”

Ms Binks said although Australia Day celebrations were cancelled from January 26, 2024, it was important to remember the decision did not prevent Australia Day committees from continuing to host and deliver township celebrations.

This includes award celebrations on the day or applying for funding directly to the National Australia Day Council.

The council will also work with a community panel to determine how best to celebrate volunteers — a task previously done on Australia Day.

“We want to ensure our volunteers — the lifeblood of our communities — are celebrated in a way and at a time that’s inclusive for all our community,” Ms Binks said.

The decision to stop celebrating Australia’s national day came after the Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLWC) delivered a formal statement to the council in January, requesting council stop participating.

Ms Binks said the statement was “particularly powerful” due to council’s existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the TLaWC signed back in October 2021, where it recommended council to put a stop in supporting Australia Day celebrations.

“The MoU reflects the need to commit to ensure the consideration of local Taungurung issues as part of any review process for Council programs and services,” Ms Binks said.

The Greater Shepparton City Council is also considering axing its Australia Day celebrations.

They are currently seeking feedback on how the day is marked in Shepparton. A community consultation will remain open until Friday.

Community director Louise Mitchell said the Greater Shepparton council had been exploring its role in marking the holiday foa while.

“In 2022, council resolved to conduct further community engagement for the future its role for Australia Day,” Ms Mitchell said.

“It also resolved to advocate to the Australian Government for a change of date, and to encourage more reflection on the full history of Australia at Australia Day events held in 2023.

“It also provided support to a local Aboriginal community led event held on 26 January.”

She said the January 26 date had become “increasingly divisive” in the Australian community.

“Engagement with local people representing community agencies, Aboriginal community controlled groups, and Australia Day committees informed this decision,” Ms Mitchell said.

“In 2023 Greater Shepparton City Council will consider the future of this day for 2024 and beyond.

“Consultation with the broader community is currently being undertaken about the way forward for council’s role in January 26, and the potential to run a community event on a different day the whole community feels able to participate in.”