Surf Coast councillors Paul Barker and Heather Wellington lament the lack of formal Australia Day events in the region

A Surf Coast councillor expects a “bit of heat” for holding his own Australia Day event, while a colleague says replacing formal celebrations with a truth-telling event is seen as divisive by many in the community.

Pilk Purriyn truth-telling event was held for the first time in 2023.

A Surf Coast councillor is holding his own Australia Day event in response to the shire’s decision to turn its back on celebrations and instead focus solely on the Pilk Purriyn truth-telling event.

Torquay ward councillor Paul Barker said the Australia Day experience for many was “beach and barbecues” and he wanted to maintain that tradition.

First-term Surf Coast Shire councillor Paul Barker. Picture: Alan Barber.

“I know I’m going to get a bit of heat for it, but stuff it,” Mr Barker said.

“I understand that, yes, a part of Australian history involves some terrible treatment of our Indigenous population, but we’re all here and shouldn’t we celebrate it, or are we just going to have (a) victim mentality for the rest of our lives?”

The barbecue lunch will be held at Torquay’s Elephant Walk foreshore, between Zeally Bay Rd and Gilbert St, from 11.30am Friday.

Mr Barker, federal president of the Liberal Democrats political party, was one of three councillors who voted unsuccessfully in 2021 for the shire to continue celebrating Australia Day.

He was joined by Heather Wellington and Adrian Schonfelder.

Ms Wellington said many residents viewed the replacement of formal celebrations with Pilk Purriyn as a divisive move that did nothing for reconciliation.

“I know a lot of people are upset about it,” she said.

“There is a very strong view in the Winchelsea ward that it’s seen as council not supporting the community’s right to celebrate contemporary Australia.”

As well as turning its back on any formal celebrations, Surf Coast Shire now flies the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags at half-mast on January 26.

“In making this decision, council is not saying other organisations or individuals shouldn’t have events to celebrate Australia Day,” its website states.

The shire provides in-kind support for the delivery of Pilk Purriyn, as well as approximately $5000 for traffic management and security.

It is also supported by GeelongPort and Give Where You Live.

Attendees to the second staging of the event, to be held at Cosy Corner in Torquay, will hear from First Nations people and “the terrible injustices they have experienced, and continue to experience, since settlement and colonisation”.

“Pilk Purriyn is an event that invites you to listen, reflect and understand why this is not the date to celebrate,” the event description explains.

A national poll conducted last week by Roy Morgan Research found 59 per cent of respondents said January 26 should remain as Australia Day, with men and older Australians far more likely to support the status quo.

Mr Barker said people had congratulated him for holding the barbecue, while others feared “raising their head” would make them a target for what he said was a vocal minority.

“I might be in a minority on the council, but when you talk to people on the street, I’m in line with (the) majority views,” he said.

“Many people in private support a position they feel they can’t publicly, which is terrible.”

Originally published as Surf Coast councillors Paul Barker and Heather Wellington lament the lack of formal Australia Day events in the region