Broadford students clean up town

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June 27, 2023

Broadford’s secondary college and primary school students volunteered for a Clean Up Australia Day event on June 16, as part of the college’s Vocational Major students’ sustainability project.

Students met at Harley Hammond Reserve in Broadford, separating into eight groups of year 11, 12 and grade six students to clean up rubbish in Broadford.

VCE Vocational Major, VM, teacher Kerry Reardon said the students registered for a Clean Up Australia Day event in March.

“They tried to coordinate with the primary school and organised it themselves. They’ve had to work their way through all our planning processes at school,” she said.

“We talked about which areas in Broadford might be the best to target, being mindful of health and safety issues. They came up with eight sections they thought were worth targeting.

“They were allocated a group of primary school students to walk around with collecting rubbish and talking to, just spending time and creating a sense of community, bonding and empowerment while also looking at the issue of sustainability and recycling.”

Student Tara Gibson said the year 12 students had learnt from setbacks during the process, and had invited year 11 students to help organise the event.

“We got the year sixes from Broadford Primary School to help out as they were learning how much rubbish is in a classroom and we thought we’d get them involved to help the environment by cleaning up rubbish,” she said.

Bunnings Seymour donated $180 worth of hi-vis vests and gloves for the clean-up.

Broadford Cleanup — About 100 students from Broadford Secondary College and Broadford Primary School clean up rubbish around Broadford as part of year 12 students’ Sustainability Project.

Donated prizes including vouchers to McDonalds, Broadford’s Duck Inn Café and Bits and Bargains, were given to students who collected the most rubbish.

Tara said the students were grateful for a donation of three large boxes of lollies from Nestle, which were used to create 100 lolly bags and decorated with handwritten jokes, fun facts about recycling and pictures to hand out after the clean-up.

“We’ve got eight teachers here who have given up time so this could go ahead for the kids, and they’ve done an awesome job of coming together at such a busy time of the year,” Ms Reardon said.

The year 12 students have been looking at recycling and sustainability in the Mitchell Shire and have been working with Mitchell Shire Council waste management education officer Grace Davis-Williams since late last year.

“We’re still sending about 10,000 tonnes of rubbish a year to landfill and only recycling about 4000 tonnes. The idea is to promote awareness on those issues,” Ms Reardon said.

“The students have already gone down to the primary school to run a workshop presentation they put together. They’ve also got bins donated to the school from the council to start a recycling program at the school so that’s the next part of this.”

The college is also hosting a competition to create a design to decorate the bins.

Preliminary freight terminal set to open in 2025

Roads & Transport

Lauren Duffy

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June 27, 2023

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Preliminary freight terminal set to open in 2025

The transaction for the Federal Government-owned National Intermodal Corporation to acquire a 1100-hectare site at Beveridge is now complete, as the project’s concept designs are finalised.

National Intermodal is working on progressing the required planning and environmental approvals, aiming for a preliminary terminal to open in 2025.

A fully integrated terminal, with the capacity to store 500,000 20-foot equivalent units each year, is planned to open in 2028-29.

The acquisition follows the release of the Inland Rail Review in April this year, which endorsed the Beveridge site as the southern end-point of Inland Rail and one of two new planned intermodal terminal precincts for Melbourne, with the other to be in Truganina.

The Beveridge site will have the ability to offer double-stacked container services for 1800-metre freight trains to Perth via Parkes, and to Brisbane on completion of Inland Rail.

The terminal will enhance competition in the rail freight sector by aiming to ensure independent, open access arrangements for all industry participants and offer the ability to provide freight services across Melbourne and through to Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth.

The large landholding at Beveridge will incorporate a 500-hectare environmental buffer, which can be protected and enhanced for the amenity of both future precinct occupiers and surrounding communities.

National Intermodal will seek further market interest for both customers and co-investors building on a recent memorandum of understanding entered into with Aurizon to become a foundation customer.

National Intermodal chief executive James Baulderstone said the Beveridge development would revitalise the rail freight sector.

“This project, together with Inland Rail, will help transform our supply chain and importantly, lower costs for Australian businesses and families,” he said.

“We recognise that development of the intermodal precincts at Beveridge and Truganina will be genuinely transformational for Victoria and particularly the surrounding communities, providing significant employment opportunities during the construction and operational phases, as well as being key catalysts for other local infrastructure investment.

“Once completed, this world class logistics precinct will create thousands of high skilled supply chain jobs of the future. Our goal will be to ensure that residents of the Whittlesea and Mitchell Shire council areas will hold as many of these jobs as possible.”

Mr Baulderstone said National Intermodal would work across the Australian logistics industry to create training opportunities for residents to ensure they were skilled and ready when the precinct became operational.

“Modern intermodal precincts offer the potential to fundamentally change the emissions intensity of how freight is currently moved around metropolitan areas,” he said.

“Incorporating world leading renewable energy technologies, including the massive solar energy potential of large scale industrial warehouse rooftops, provides the opportunity to create a true net zero logistics hub.”

Broadford Primary School to celebrate 150 years

Lauren Duffy

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June 27, 2023

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Broadford Primary School to celebrate 150 years

Broadford Primary School is seeking input from the community for its 150th anniversary celebrations planned for November.

The school has earmarked Saturday, November 11 as the day to celebrate its milestone birthday.

The school opened as a state school in 1873, with the brick schoolhouse accommodating 70 students.

It was formerly called Broadford Common School and Broadford State School, before being named Broadford Primary School in 1970.

The school has now grown considerably at its Powlett Street premises, with about 370 students enrolled.

Current and past students are encouraged to submit their memories, photographs and memorabilia to organisers to form a display at the event.

Members of the organising committee Kate Edwards and Deanne Henry said they hoped to make a display showing people’s memories of the school over the past 150 years.

“If anyone has any memorabilia that they would like to share, loan or give, we would also greatly appreciate it,” Ms Edwards said.

“People can email us on bps150years@gmail.com with their photos or written memories to share.”

Organisers will share more information about the 150th celebration event later in the year.

Laurimar Power’s shock leaves Kilmore blue

Jordyn Grubisic

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June 27, 2023

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Laurimar Power’s shock leaves Kilmore blue

In rainy conditions Kilmore lost to Laurimar Power in a competitive game 3.10 (28) to 6.13 (49).

It was tough scoring for the Blues who struggled to convert inside 50.

Kilmore were scoreless in the first and then headed into halftime with five points on the board, while Laurimar were 18 heading into the half.

Kilmore coach Paul Derrick said it was the missed scoring shots that hurt the side.

“It was a good tough contest and we played really well,” he said.

“Early on in the first half we had five gettable goals and we missed them all which hurt us in the end. Apart from that the game was really even.

“They took a couple of chances getting about four of their goals from free kicks but it was our fault. It was just moments in game that hurt us again.”

Impressive defensive efforts from Kilmore kept Laurimar to two goals for the first half and goalless in the second quarter.

It was the final quarter where Kilmore got some momentum on the scoreboard, with efforts in the forward 50 finally converting as they kicked three goals with 22-points for the quarter, outscoring the Power.

Derrick said the fourth quarter was how they wanted to play for all four quarters.

“The side take on the game really well, they use the footy really well. We’ve just got to get a consistent four quarters,” he said.

“To me it was a pretty good fourth quarter effort. It was just missing easy shots and a few moments in there where we gave away silly free kicks that hurt us in the end.”

Even with a downpour in the third that sent many spectators running for their cars, the Blues adjusted to the conditions.

“I thought we handled it really well. Conditions like that will always be a challenge for the young blokes, it makes it tougher and harder, but they always keep stepping up which is great. I thought we used the ball a lot better than we had been,” Derrick said.

Michael Marrett had a good day for the Blues, while Liam Monaghan played well in his first game playing in the middle.

The Blues backline also had a strong game.

“We were good across the board. To pick a bad player would be hard but we just didn’t finish off our work which hurt us,” Derrick said.

Last time the two sides played each other was round one, with Laurimar defeating Kilmore by 70 points.

“It’s an improvement. We’re happy to improve but we want to be winning,” Derrick said.

On Saturday the Blues head to Kinglake with the side’s confidence growing weekly.

“They’re growing in confidence because even though we’re not winning, they know the way we’re playing is working we’ve just got to finish of the week,” he said.

“Going into next week it’ll be tough but we’ve got no fears. We’ll go up there and give it a crack.”

In division one of the Northern Football and Netball League Whittlesea lost to Montmorency 2.8 (20) to 10.13 (73).

Some of the best players for Whittlesea were Jay Allen, Keidan Treacy and Blake Watson.

New broadcast beginnings for Seymour FM

Pam Kiriakidis

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June 27, 2023

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By Pam Kiriakidis

SEYMOUR FM is celebrating its official opening on Thursday with the community and special guests to mark the beginnings of two new studios and office.

Each hour from noon, leading up to the opening at 5.15pm, the radio station will showcase live music, spoken word and theatrical interludes, with tours of the new facilities between acts.

The acts throughout the day will include wind chamber trio Winded, singer Kelli Brogan, bush poet Michael Carroll, country musician Steve Varga, radio personality Damian Sleep, and Papa Jomo’s Delta blues after the opening.

The community-based station now has two studios and an office at 57 Pollard Street, Seymour, which station manager Bruce Hunt-Hughes said was beneficial for the radio’s future.

“What it means is that we can be recording something while broadcasting live from one studio, we can have people in the other studio recording something which can be delivered a little later,” he said.

“We can resume training, practice, have meetings – there’s a lot that can happen, and we’re pretty excited about it.”

The plan to move to the new facilities was expected last year, however when the equipment at the Kings Park location was damaged during the October floods the station moved to the new location as a temporary studio.

The radio station was also a victim of an arson attack in 2020 which destroyed the transmitter facility in Granite Park.

Mr Hunt-Hughes said while it was a scramble to pull the pieces together after the floods, the station was able to go back on air for its listeners.

“Remarkably we weren’t off air for very long before managing to be broadcasting again, but it was by the skin of our teeth,” he said.

“It was susceptible to technical challenges, whereas now it’s much more robust, and once we’ve got this new studio fully completed, and then the second studio also fully completed, it’ll be a whole new ballgame.”

Seymour FM has been on air for 21 years, with currently 40 active volunteers around broadcasting, administration, membership and promotion.

A voice to northern Mitchell Shire and northern Strathbogie shire areas, Mr Hunt-Hughes said the official opening was an invitation to discover more listeners, talent and ideas for the new station to take on.

“We’ve got a lot of keen people in the community who listen to Seymour FM, and we’re looking forward to what gets broadcast, we’re building on the talent that we have, and then reaching out to gather in more so that can make use of the knowledge and expertise that we already have,” he said.

The event will be held at 57 Pollard Street, Seymour, with the official opening at 5.15pm.

For more information, contact the station manager at 5792 1039 or email via station.manager@seymourfm.com.au.

Redbacks sting in netball win at Wallan

Jordyn Grubisic

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June 27, 2023

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Romsey netballers had a victory on the road Saturday defeating Wallan 48 to 40.

Romsey coach Lena Way said the game went ‘really well’ for the undermanned Redbacks.

“I was really happy with how my girls performed given we have four girls playing at the moment due to injury and we had player that was a complete fill in who we’ve never trained with before,” she said.

“I also had two B grade players playing up with us so given all of those factors it was really good to get the win.”

Intense defensive pressure caused turnovers in the middle of the court.

The Redbacks started strong, leading the first quarter 15 goals to nine with Uneeq Palavi strong as goal shooter.

Palavi had a great game shooting at 91 per cent and scoring 33 goals.

“Uneeq is an absolute gun. We’re wrapped to have her as a new recruit this season and her physicality is just incredible,” Way said.

“Not only is she tall and strong but she’s got a big leap on her as well, which means she’s able to pull in those lobs and her goaling accuracy is unbelievable especially in those windy conditions out at Wallan.”

Wallan’s Maeve Donegan had a great start to the game shooting at 100 per cent for the first and fourth quarters, finishing with 28 goals overall.

Wallan outscored Romsey in the second quarter with 12 goals to nine, but the Redback’s remained ahead going into the half up 24 to 21.

Donegan continued to play strong against Redback defenders, using her height and movement to create space and separation under the basket.

The game remained close in second half, but the Magpies couldn’t catch up.

“We were just playing to our strategy and playing to our structures that we worked on, which of course is very difficult when you’ve got lots of new players,” Way said.

“But we’ve got some pretty effective set plays and our strategy was to try and work our ball into the circle which we did really well. We got good penetration inside which is something I really asked the girls to focus on.

“We also had great transition from defence into attack so you can’t really ask for much more than that.”

Heading into the second half of the season, Way said the Redbacks had their eye on finals.

“We’ve had a really unfortunate start to the season with injuries, so my goal is to claw our way up the ladder and contend in the final series. That is our goal 100 per cent. We just need a few more wins on the board,” she said.

“We do need to replace one of our defenders, so it has been a very challenging season so far but that’s okay. It’s nothing insurmountable. I feel really positive about the rest of the season.”

Saturday, Romsey have a bye while Wallan have another home game against Macedon.

Lancefield

In a close games Lancefield lost to Melton Centrals on Saturday 37 to 38.

Melton took the lead early in the game, up in the first quarter 11 to eight, but pressure from Lancefield defenders forced Melton’s goal shooter’s accuracy to 37 per cent keeping the Tigers in the game.

The Tigers outscored Melton in the second quarter bringing the game to within two points heading into the half.

The third was a difficult scoring quarter for Lancefield, and despite outscoring Melton 12 to seven in the fourth quarter, the Tigers couldn’t catch up going down by one point.

Lancefield have a home game this Saturday against Diggers Rest.

Region’s harness trainers light up in cold conditions

Lauren Duffy

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June 27, 2023

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Region’s harness trainers light up in cold conditions

By Len Baker

The region’s harness competitors battled bitterly cold conditions at Kilmore trots last Tuesday evening but came away with plenty of winners.

Bolinda’s Alison and Chris Alford were victorious with improving four-year-old Betting Line-Maastricht mare Maas Betting Again who was outstanding in taking the $10,000 Beraldo Coffee Pace Final over 1690 metres.

Driven by Chris, Maas Betting Again appeared to throw away all chances when galloping away from gate four as the start was effected.

But she settled at the rear of the field, with Didshedoit leading from gate three.

Once balanced, Alford sent the mare forward with a rush approaching the bell to cross the leader shortly after and defy all challengers, defeating Didshedoit by an easy 6.4 metres, with Shania Tee using the sprint lane from the rear for third. The mile rate 1-56.8.

Another Bolinda winner was Brent Lilley’s quality four-year-old Sweet Lou-Zenola Starbuck gelding Hugo Maguire.

He landed the 2180-metre Jet Roofing Pace to give Alford a double.

Settling well back in the field from gate two on the second line, Hugo Maguire was set alight racing for the bell to cross the pacemaker Wharewhiti, which had used up plenty of petrol to lead from gate six.

Cruising for the final circuit, Hugo Maguire greeted the judge 11.1 metres in advance of Blissful Mind, which raced exposed for the last lap, with Wharewhiti battling on gamely to hold third 7.2 metres back. The mile rate 1-59.7.

Veteran Whittlesea octogenarian Charlie Farrugia snared the MC Security Pace over 1690 metres with Little Safari, an 11-year-old gelded son of Safari and Hanovian Princess who chalked up his 19th success at start number 179.

Raced by Charlie and grandson Darren Zahra, who drives the horse, Little Safari possied three back in the moving line from outside the front line as Kilmore hope La Toison Dor led from gate two for Ben Yole.

Going forward three wide on the home turn, Little Safari motored home down the centre of the track to score by 5.6 metres in 1-59.8, from Kilmore trained duo Major Comment, three wide last lap from the rear, and Good Feelings, which weaved in-between runners for third a half head away.

Ben and Taylor Youl combined to land the Buds and Branches Florist Pace over 1690 metres with six-year-old Pet Rock-Keep No Secrets mare Maywyns Jewel.

She led throughout to account for Francesco and Four Star Saint was third after racing exposed from the extreme draw. The margins 2.6 by 2.2 metres in a mile rate of two minutes even.

Former Kilmore trainer Paul Weidenbach, now based at Wahring in the Goulburn Valley, joined forces with Romsey’s Chris Svanosio to capture the Garrards Horse and Hound Maiden Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres with six-year-old Bad Boy Truscott-Spot Me Guv gelding Kalarney Prince.

Euroa trainer/driver Cameron Maggs scored with five-year-old Majestic Son-Sunday Service gelding Super Service in the 2150-metre Broadstead Kilmore Trotters Handicap.

Coming from 10 metres, Super Service was bottled up four back along the markers for most of the trip as Kilmore hope One Muscle Hill led from the pole for Monique Burnett.

Angling into the clear well into the straight, Super Service sprouted wings from what was an impossible position to prevail by a nose over 30-metre backmarker Kheiron for former locals Peter Lane and Anita Burke, which raced uncovered from the bell with Michael Bellman in the cart.

Watch And Act was third 1.4 metres back after dropping in one/one for a breather approaching the home turn. The mile rate 2-04.4.

Other winners were Myrniong trainer Jess Tubbs who combined with Josh Dickie aboard Sebastian K-Illawong Bardot gelding Wyldcat to land the 2180-metre Tellurian Wines 3Y0 Trotters Mobile; Parwan’s Craig Demmler trained and reined Hes Watching-Western Gretel gelding Western View to victory in the Carlton and United Breweries 3Y0 Pace over 2180 metres; while Strathfieldaye trainer Julie Douglas and concessional reinsman Adrian Pace enjoyed a double – six-year-old Betterthancheddar – Love The Look gelding Beta Than Love taking the Worlds Best Hoof Oil Pace over 1690 metres and three-year-old Vincent-Hazel B Hasty x-Kiwi gelding Our Vincent Can Gogh won the 2180 metre C and M Build Group Pace.

The next Kilmore harness meeting is tomorrow, Wednesday.

Another big night at Kilmore

KILMORE trots held its second meeting for the week last Sunday with a neat program catering for most classes.

The most interesting race of the night being the $10,000 claimer which consisted of six runners, all from the Strathfieldsaye stable of Julie Douglas returning a huge training percentage for her.

While it occurs on a regular basis in Tasmania involving the Ben Yole team, this was the first time in Victoria.

Bolinda’s Team Alford – Alison and Chris landed the Garrards Horse and Hound Trotters Mobile over 2189 metres with Bee Bee Beroc, a 4Y0 gelded son of Majestic Son and Jumanji Franco who produced a fantastic effort to score.

Wallan mentor Ruth Shinn’s 4Y0 A Rocknroll Dance-Shes Pinkalicious gelding Archaa was a most impressive victor of the Hip Pocket Workwear Pace over 2180 metres.

Sutton Grange trainer/driver- Ross Graham a regular at most Kilmore fixtures – took out Heat 1 of the Jet Roofing ‘The Thirties’ Pace over 1690 metres with 6Y0 Orlando Vici-The Sun Goddess gelding Self Exclusion to register his 7th victory in 84 outings.

Heat 2 of ‘The Thirties’ Pace sponsored by MC Securities went to Junortoun’s Ellen Tormey driving her dad John’s 7Y0 Western Terror-Thor Foot gelding Terroroan.

The Third heat saw Mount Cottrell trainer/driver Jeremy Quinlan’s 10Y0 Live Or Die-Foxi gelding Crafty Old Fox successful in 2-00.5.

Dunnstown’s David Murphy snared the 1690 metre Beraldo Coffee Pace with Art Major-Rocknroll Rama filly Major Drama, a prohibitive $1.20 favourite.

Four-year-old Angus Hall-Hold That Grin gelding, Hold That Gold, was a deserved winner of the Buds and Branches Florist Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres.

Wallan Secondary College helps fight homelessness

Lauren Duffy

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June 27, 2023

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Wallan Secondary College helps fight homelessness

WALLAN Secondary College senior students gave up a night in their warm beds to help raise money for the St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria’s school sleep-out initiative.

For one night, a group of year 11 and 12 students, including staff, slept on concrete grounds outside classrooms, with sleeping bags and cardboard to replicate the rough conditions of homelessness.

Event coordinator Lauren Mozina said students ‘geared up for the night’, as the group ate leftovers from the school’s soup kitchen and played card games that helped students get to know their peers.

Ms Mozina said empathy was a huge takeaway from the cold night.

“The group of kids that did it were fantastic, they’re amazing kids, but it was the whole chatting between people and finding out more about someone – that was major,” she said.

“The fact you don’t know what someone’s going through, that was a big reality check for some of them to understand the students they hang out with every day, they have no idea in their class who’s going through that.”

The sleep-out was an extension of the school’s annual positive week – a week where the student leadership group chooses a theme, followed by several guest speakers, and a day for money to be raised for a charity related to the theme.

During term two’s positive week, Ms Mozina said homelessness was the theme, with school leaders participating in food banks and soup kitchens during lunchtimes.

With the cost-of-living having increased homelessness this year, Ms Mozina said senior students were at a mature age to grasp the concept and were given a presentation from Bridge Youth Service on services available.

“They’re at that age where they are making decisions for themselves, that all comes into it, whether you chose to live at home, or whether you can’t live at home, and when you get to that age, that’s when everything starts to change,” she said.

“It’s a good opportunity to give back, especially at the moment, no one has a lot, times are tough for everybody.

“But to know that one item you don’t need out our cupboard could go to feed someone else, that’s important.”

As well as raising $2502 for St Vincent de Paul, the school gave to the coat drive Off Your Back and donated non-perishable foods and personal items to Love in Action Wallan.

Ms Mozina said the school sleep-out was expected to continue next year as part of the school’s curriculum.

Rough Saturday for Broadford Roos

Jordyn Grubisic

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June 27, 2023

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The Broadford netballers lost to Powelltown on Saturday 26 to 49.

Powelltown took the lead in the first quarter up 13 to six.

Competitive efforts from the Kangaroos saw them with nine goals but 10 from Powelltown kept them comfortably ahead.

Out of the half, Powelltown’s eight-point lead extended to 14 as Broadford’s scoring slowed, and the Kangaroo’s couldn’t catch them in the fourth going down by 23 points.

Toni Bootland, Megan Berger and Renee Sari, with 11 goals, were best players for Broadford.

Broadford will host Yarra Junction at home this Saturday.

Football

It was a tough day in the office for Broadford seniors going down 2.9 (21) to Powelltown 20.16 (136).

Broadford were scoreless in the first quarter while Powelltown started off strong with 57 points.

In the second quarter, Powelltown extended their lead by 79-points as the Kangaroos finally got on the scoreboard with five points.

Coming out of the half Broadford had another scoreless quarter as Powelltown kept up their momentum adding another five goals to the scoreboard.

Two goals in the fourth quarter by vice-captain Joshua Delaney and Zach Neilson were too-little- too-late for the Kangaroos as they lost by 115 points.

Best players for Broadford included Liam Lucas, Joshua Delaney and Lachlan Phillips.

Broadford have a home game this Saturday against Yarra Junction.

Mitchell Shire Council to continue celebrating January 26 as Australia Day

Jordyn Grubisic

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June 27, 2023

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Mitchell Shire Council to continue celebrating January 26 as Australia Day

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.”

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