Calls for Whittlesea mayor to apologise over Star of Vergina flag dance
Racial tensions between Greek and Macedonian communities are flaring, with some pinpointing the moment back to a photograph posted by Whittlesea’s mayor. Now Greek leaders are calling on her to apologise.
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Councillors and Greek leaders are calling on the Whittlesea mayor to apologise, claiming the 23-year-old incited recent tensions between Greek and Macedonian communities.
It comes after Cr Emilia Sterjova posted a photo to Facebook showing her dancing with a “culturally offensive” Star of Vergina flag at a language graduation ceremony in December.
Police then arrested three men after a young Greek-Australian alleged he was stalked and then bashed in the fallout of a fiery council meeting just days later.
Cr Sterjova deleted the photo and in a statement on Facebook, said the image was not intended to disrespect any member of the Whittlesea community.
“I was surprised by the negative response to my posting which included death threats against me, threats to remove me from the office of mayor, threats to have me expelled from the political party I am a member of, and stalking threats necessitating the engagement of security services and police for my protection when attending certain future events,” she wrote.
But Cr Lawrie Cox said “more was needed” to stop racial tensions boiling over.
“We’re in a situation where council has now got extra security to attend council meetings,” he said.
“She has made an unfortunate decision inciting this and now she needs to show leadership and build the bridge with the community she has upset.
“She has asked people to come to council meetings, wearing red, there is nothing wrong with peaceful protest but inciting it shows poor judgment.”
Cr Mary Lalios said Whittlesea was not the place for debates on international issues to be conducted.
Pan-Macedonian Federation of Melbourne Victoria president Andrew Ballis also called for Cr Sterjova to apologise publicly for her use of “provocative propaganda inspired symbols”.
“Why is she bringing foreign propaganda from North Macedonia (sic) to Australia?” he said.
“She was aware of the Facebook chatter which was taking place prior to both council meetings and at no stage did she try to pacify or defuse the aggression.”
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The Leader attempted to reach out to Cr Sterjova, but instead received a response from Whittlesea Council acting chief executive Kelvin Spiller.
He said the event where Cr Sterjova attended and was photographed holding the Star of Vergina flag was not a council event.
“The mayor clarified her position in a follow-up post on her Facebook page where she explained that, in her capacity as mayor, she attended the graduation ceremony in recognition of the Macedonian language students’ accomplishment,” Mr Spiller said.