Eddy Kontelj puts forward Australia Day ideas as Peter Dutton promises action

A waterski stunt show, fireworks, street parade, aerobatic display, and outdoor concert are all ideas being suggested for Australia Day in Geelong. But could our “much-loved” floating Christmas tree steal the show?

Geelong councillor Eddy Kontelj is spearheading a push to bring back a range of Australia Day events.

The councillor spearheading the charge for City Hall to reinstate celebrations on January 26 wants to see Geelong’s floating Christmas tree transformed into an “Australia Day icon”.

Geelong council will not host any events for the second year running, but under a plan being developed by Eddy Kontelj, the Geelong waterfront would be home to multiple events from 2026 onwards.

Among those being considered is the introduction of Australia Day community awards, a waterski stunt show on Corio Bay, fireworks, street parade, an aerobatic display by the Air Force Roulettes, and an outdoor concert involving local schools and choirs.

Mr Kontelj also wants the “much-loved” floating Christmas tree to remain until the end of January.

“During the week leading up to Australia Day, we would have it lit up in the Australian flag and also green and gold colours,” he said.

“The tree would have great Australian music projecting from it for the week.”

Could Geelong’s floating Christmas tree transform into an Australia Day “icon”? Picture: Alan Barber.

Before any plans are progressed, council must first endorse a report at this month’s meeting that would essentially reaffirm the position it took in December.

That motion, which passed seven votes to four, committed to again commemorating the day, including the holding of citizenship ceremonies and community events.

The Institute of Public Affairs, a right-wing think tank, released the results of its annual Australia Day poll on Monday.

Conducted by research firm Dynata in mid-December, it found 69 per cent of people want Australia Day celebrated on January 26, a six-point increase.

“This result is a major repudiation of the elites who continually seek to divide and denigrate our nation,” the IPA’s Daniel Wild said.

“Uniting around our national day and our national flag reminds Australians that there is far more that unites us than divides us.”

Federal opposition leader Peter Dutton seized upon the results and promised the Coalition would within 100 days of forming government force local councils to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26.

Peter Dutton wants to take action on citizenship ceremonies. Picture: NewsWire / Valeriu Campan.

Upon coming to power, the Albanese government gave councils three days wriggle room either side of January 26.

“I want us not to be divided, but I want us to stand up for what we believe in, and we will do that again, and we will have pride again in our country, and we’ll be our best country if we stand together,” Mr Dutton said.

Geelong-based state MLC Bev McArthur, appointed last week to oversee the Liberal’s local government portfolio, backed Mr Dutton’s position.

“All local councils should run events that fit in with what their community would expect, but especially events that recognise their local Aussie heroes,” she said.

Local Indigenous groups slammed City Hall over its plan to reinstate Australia Day celebrations.

The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation labelled the move a “divisive decision” and a “bewildering step backwards”.

“It is beyond belief that council this week voted to recognise and celebrate Australia Day with events and citizenship ceremonies, with no consultation prior to the vote,” it said.

Golden Plains Shire and Borough of Queenscliffe are not hosting any events, while the Surf Coast Shire is again focused on the Pilk Purriyn truth-telling event in Torquay.

Originally published as Eddy Kontelj puts forward Australia Day ideas as Peter Dutton promises action