By Max Davies
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has announced it will not host events for Australia Day next year, consistent with its ongoing collaboration with the shire’s Traditional Owner groups and First Nations residents.
The decision to axe events on January 26 was made in recognition and respect of the grief and sadness expressed around the date.
Annual community awards will instead be hosted on January 25 alongside a citizenship ceremony, consistent with the most recent advice from the Department of Home Affairs, which outlines that councils must hold a citizenship ceremony either on Australia Day or within three days before or after.
The decision was endorsed by council following a lengthy debate at its August meeting, the motion carried in a five to two vote.
Recommendations endorsed by council include moving the citizenship and awards ceremony to the evening prior to January 26, renaming the Australia Day Awards to the Community Awards, and increasing the funding cap for the Australia Day grants program from $500 to $1000 for each successful application.
Mayor Annette Death said the decision was an important step in strengthening connections within the community, but reminded the debate was not about changing the date.
“It’s important for council to build deeper connections with Traditional Owner groups and this is an important part of the process, reflecting on what our role is with Australia Day,” she said.
“Other local government areas are also reassessing their roles on Australia Day … this is a well-considered and well-balanced officer recommendation and motion because it still enables us to support the wonderful community groups that do host events on or around Australia Day.”
Speaking in opposition of the proposal, Cr Geoff Neil cited the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 – which was enacted on January 26, 1949 – and said it was the first time all Australians, including First Nations peoples, became Australian citizens.
While January 26 was not declared a public holiday until 1994, he described the motion as a move to ‘destroy our own history’.
“This is why we celebrate Australia Day on January 26 … the act, which gave freedom and protection to the First Australians, gives Australians, old and new, the right to live under the protection of Australian law, united as one nation,” he said.
“Yet today, as leaders in this municipality, we appear determined to deny the right to citizenship on January 26. I may not be woke, but I’ve woken up and I do not like what I see.”
Deputy Mayor Jennifer Anderson said she had increasingly heard from the community they did not want to participate in a citizenship ceremony on January 26, but instead move it to an alternative day.
“Change is always difficult, and sometimes it’s more difficult for some people than others,” she said.
“We don’t forget history; we don’t throw it out. History is history, we learn as we go and we learn to be inclusive.
“We’re still recognising important citizens, we are having a citizenship ceremony … I think this is an excellent resolution and progresses towards acknowledging our First Nations people and being an inclusive Macedon Ranges community.”
Voting in support of the motion were Cr Death, Cr Anderson, Cr Rob Guthrie, Cr Janet Pearce and Cr Mark Ridgeway, while Cr Neil and Cr Dominic Bonanno opposed.
