Mitchell Shire Council says it has no plans to follow in the footsteps of neighbouring Strathbogie Shire Council who decided to no longer formally support January 26 celebrations.
Australia Day officially became a public holiday for all states and territories in 1994. But in recent years January 26 has seen protests by the Indigenous community and supporters.
The Taungurung Land and Waters Council, TLaWC, submitted a statement about January 26 to both Mitchell Shire and Strathbogie Shire councils, as well as other partners, in January this year, seeking organisations to reconsider the date they celebrate Australia Day.
The TWaLC said it respected their partners and stakeholders’ responsibilities and commitments to January 26 but requested they frequently consider the view of the Taungurung Nation, and the need to terminate celebrating a day that continued to isolate and segregate the Taungurung people.
“For the Taungurung people, January 26 celebrates the colonisation/invasion of our lands and the lands of Traditional Owner Nations across this content,” the statement said.
“It celebrates the suppression of Taungurung language and culture, the incarceration and genocide of our people, and is an annual reminder of the dispossession of our people and the ensuing systemic and institutional racism which continues to this day.
“The Taungurung people continue to experience the ongoing effects and the impact of colonisation over 200 years later. This is seen through the continued dispossession of lands, denial of inherent rights, intergenerational trauma and institutional structures designs to negate and restrict.
“In the eyes of the Taungurung peoples, Australia Day ignores our history, our struggle, and the fact that our ancestors have lived on, cared for, and maintained cultural obligations to and for Taungurung Country for over 65,000 years.
“It is for this reason that many Taungurung people called Australia Day ‘Invasion Day’ as a reflection on the effects invasion had and still have on our community and Country.”
Strathbogie Shire Mayor Laura Binks said TLaWC’s statement was authorised through the direction of the Taungurung people and articulated an agreed position from TLaWC to not to participate in any activities associated with January 26.
“The statement also requested the TLaWC’s partners and stakeholders respect their position,” she said.
“We are a council that supports inclusion and there is a portion of our community whose experiences of January 26 are a reminder of the dispossession and ongoing effects and impacts of colonisations.”
Cr Binks said Strathbogie council’s decision did not exclude Australia Day committees from celebrations including awards or applications for funding to the National Australia Day Council. They proposed moving the Australia Day Awards to National Volunteer Week.
“We want to ensure our volunteers, the lifeblood of our communities, are celebrated in a way and at a time that’s inclusive for all our community,” she said.
But Mitchell Shire Mayor Fiona Stevens said no discussions have occurred to change council’s January 26 celebrations.
“Australia Day means many things to many people, and we understand, acknowledge and respect the differing views held in our community,” she said.
Cr Stevens said no discussions have taken place to change council’s Australia Day awards or citizenship ceremony.
“Council utilises Australia Day to acknowledge volunteers for everything they do across the shire,” she said.
“On the day we also welcome new Australian citizens to Mitchell Shire. Welcoming these new citizens is a fantastic part of the day and it is a great chance for the wider community to experience it.”
.
