Australia Day Geelong: Geelong region councils speak on controversial date

The City of Greater Geelong has revealed details about the response to its January 26 survey, as councils change their approach to the contentious public holiday.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan has spoken about his council's decision to host citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day while supporting its Indigenous community.

The City of Greater Geelong will show support to the local Indigenous community on January 26, but unlike some other Victorian councils, will go ahead with citizenship ceremonies on the controversial date.

Geelong council held a six month conversation, from May to November 2022, to collect community feedback about Australia Day.

Mayor Trent Sullivan said close to 1000 survey responses were received – almost half from First Nations people.

“The City of Greater Geelong has been listening to and seeking feedback from across the Greater Geelong community about January 26,” Mr Sullivan said.

“We received very strong feedback to this engagement – 952 survey responses.

Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan said council received “very strong” feedback during its Australia Day conversation period. Picture: Supplied

“This included 447 contributions from First Nations people, the largest number of contributions we have ever experienced from the First Nations community on any issue.”

Mr Sullivan said council was reviewing feedback to “understand and acknowledge” the experiences of First Nations people and the wider community.

“For some people in our community, January 26 is a day to celebrate, while for many First Nations people it represents a day of mourning, sorrow and survival,” he said.

“Recommendations from this engagement will soon be presented to council to guide the city’s future approach to activities and commemorations held on January 26.”

The city will provide support at the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative’s Survival Day event at North Geelong on January 26.

It will also support Australia Day celebration events across the region on the day.

Two citizenship ceremonies will also be held on Australia Day, welcoming about 300 new citizens to the region.

Planning was undertaken before the federal government in December reversed the previous government’s decision of January 26 ceremonies being compulsory, council said.

A number of other Victorian councils have decided against holding citizenship ceremonies on the controversial date, including the Borough of Queenscliffe.

Mayor Isabelle Tolhurst said other than observing the public holiday, “nothing formal occurs”.

“This is about recognising this is a hurtful day for many First Nations communities and as a result, not truly inclusive,” she said.

Several councils will fly flags at half-mast on Australia Day.

“As a community we continue to discuss how can we make space for what others are experiencing, and remain committed to working with our Traditional Owners, the Wadawurrung, to create a greater understanding of the dual histories of this country and the ongoing contributions First Nations people make.”

Surf Coast Shire mayor Liz Pattison said the council would be hosting a citizenship ceremony.

She said planning was well underway before the reversal of the previous government’s compulsory rule.

With the Commonwealth Government having now removed that requirement council could consider an alternative date for its first citizenship ceremony in 2024, she said.

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners will host a truth-telling event, Pilk Purriyn, in the morning with the support of Surf Coast council, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags will be flown at half-mast.

Some Geelong employers are allowing staff to choose whether to observe the day.

Originally published as Australia Day Geelong: Geelong region councils speak on controversial date