Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-op slams Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj after meeting

An explosive email to Geelong councillors has revealed what went on behind closed doors between Mayor Stretch Kontelj and a local Indigenous group.

A meeting between Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj and Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative leaders “did not end well”. Picture: Alison Wynd.

The leaders of a local Indigenous group have accused Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj of being indifferent to their hurt and telling them how to feel following a heated meeting brought about by City Hall’s push to reinstate Australia Day celebrations.

In an email sent to all 11 Geelong councillors and chief executive Ali Wastie on Wednesday following the January 13 meeting, Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative chair Jordan Edwards and chief executive Simon Flagg slammed Mr Kontelj on several fronts.

The pair sought the meeting after not being consulted prior to council’s December meeting, where the process to unwind an unanimous May 2023 vote that committed to cease referring to January 26 as Australia Day and to move citizenship ceremonies from that date passed seven votes to four.

Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative chair Jordan Edwards. Picture: Alan Barber.

The intent of the email, seen by the Addy, was to ensure all representatives, some of whom bitterly oppose council’s approach, were aware of the group’s “greatest disappointment”.

“During our meeting with Stretch, he showed no regard to the hurt and pain expressed that our community are feeling, following this decision by council,” it said.

“When questioned about his responsibility as Mayor to support the local First Nations community, particularly during this time where racism, trolling, hate speech and misinformation are at an all-time high, his only response offered was if safety is concerned, that it’s a matter for police.

“At every opportunity, Stretch deflected, refuted and diminished what we had to say, at times telling us how to feel or not to feel.”

Mr Edwards, a member of Victoria’s First Peoples’ Assembly, and Mr Flagg, chief executive since November 2021, said Mr Kontelj justified council’s approach through feedback he received during last year’s local government election campaign.

He also pointed to an online Geelong Advertiser poll that found 92 per cent of more than 5500 respondents want citizenship ceremonies held on January 26.

“We would like it noted that we’re appalled that this is the mayor’s justification and basis for decision making,” they said.

Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative chief executive Simon Flagg. Picture: Alan Barber.

They said the response to public consultation that led to the 2023 vote far exceeded other comparable processes, including the LGBTQIA+ action plan and Kardinia Park masterplan.

“The meeting did not end well, and we feel like years of hard work building a relationship with Geelong City Council is now fractured,” the email concluded.

“We will now be focusing on investing our time and energy in collaborating in solidarity with our community, our allies and bringing truth telling to Geelong.

“We will not be silenced.”

In response, Mr Kontelj said he and Ms Wastie, who was also in attendance, conducted the meeting professionally and respectfully.

“I stated to the meeting and restate now that anyone wishing to advocate for changing the date should do so via our local federal members of parliament, as council does not have the authority to proclaim our national day,” he said.

“At the meeting, our CEO highlighted the tremendous work that the city has done to support reconciliation, and I am incredibly proud of this work.”

Originally published as Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-op slams Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj after meeting