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Why is Darebin City Council opposed to marking 26 January?
In addition to providing important services like rubbish and roads maintenance, councils are responsible for protecting the health and wellbeing of their communities. Darebin Council is opposed to Australia's national celebration being held on 26 January out of respect for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who have told us that they experience a day of sadness, pain and disconnection. Australia Day, and its history, is complex for many Australians, in particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
26 January commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet and the planting of the Union Flag on Gadigal Country (in Port Jackson). For the Wurundjeri Woi wurrung people and the broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, this marks the beginning of violent invasion and dispossession. Celebratory events held on this anniversary only intensify the sadness, pain and disconnection experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. There is growing national debate on the relevance and significance of Australia Day celebrations, specifically concerning the date 26 January. At the most recent Australian Local Government Congress, the following motion was carried (64-62 in favour):
That the National General Assembly encourage Australian councils to consider efforts they could take to lobby the Federal Government to change the date of recognition of Australia Day.
This national debate has highlighted the complexities and range of emotional responses to Australia Day. Importantly, it has created a discourse about how Darebin can take a leadership role and make Australia Day an inclusive one for all that brings people together in the spirit of respect and recognition at the local level. To have a truly inclusive national celebration we need to find a day which includes, honours and celebrates the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have inhabited this land for at least 60,000 plus years prior to European invasion.
What did Council base this decision on?
Celebrations held on 26 January are known to have a disproportionately negative impact on the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, many of whom experience the day as a sad and painful day. This is why Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with links to Darebin were the target of a consultation undertaken by Council in 2017.
To gather broader community sentiment, we also opted to survey non-Aboriginal people through our 27 advisory committees. Our decision as a Council was based on this information, a general knowledge of our community through a range of Council networks, and the visible groundswell of support for change, most recently demonstrated by tens of thousands of people – Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal – who marched in ‘Invasion Day’ rallies in major cities across Australia on 26 January 2020).
Inclusive Community Event
On the first weekend in September, Council now hosts an annual community event called Ngulu Nganjin recognising and celebrating First Nations peoples and the wider Darebin community. Co-designed with the Darebin Aboriginal Advisory Committee and Traditional Owners, the event features Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Welcome Ceremony and is an opportunity for the Darebin community to join us in recognising and celebrating First Nations people, raising community awareness and coming together as a proud, diverse and inclusive community for all. The inaugural event took place on first of September 2019. Find out more here.
Who did Council consult with?
We have a longstanding relationship with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and 26 January has been a topic of discussion with the community for many years. Consultations were held in 2017, including a roundtable discussion with the Darebin Aboriginal Advisory Committee and engagement with community leaders through an online survey. The community engagement process also utilised Council's extensive and diverse network of Council's 27 advisory committees. We also consulted with the Wurundjeri Land and Compensation Cultural Heritage Council Aboriginal Corporation.
What were the results of community consultations?
The results of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community consultation showed that this community found Australia Day celebrations alienating, hurtful and upsetting – an anniversary that marks the beginning of invasion and dispossession. A strong theme to emerge from the consultation was the need for increased promotion of history and increased recognition of Aboriginal peoples – to foster greater compassion, acceptance and understanding in the community. The results of the survey indicate a strong level of community support for Council taking a more active role in acknowledging the experience of 26 January for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including specifically a strong level of support for Council supporting the #changethedate campaign.
- 86% supported #changethedate campaign (86% favourable)
- Preference for a citizenship ceremony to be held on a different day (60% favourable)
- Support for an event that acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experiences of 26 January (61% favourable).
Does this mean that Darebin City Council is anti-Australia Day?
We are not anti-Australia Day, nor opposed to the celebration of national identity. We are opposed to celebrating our national identity on 26 January, a day which causes such great distress to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Will the Mayor, Councillors and staff of Darebin City Council still take a public holiday on 26 January?
As elected representatives, the Mayor and Councillors work every day for the Darebin community, including public holidays. 26 January remains a national public holiday, and Council's customer services centres and libraries will be closed. However, household rubbish and recycling collections will take place as normal. Our leisure centres will also open but may have amended timetables.
Will I lose my public holiday on 26 January?
No, we do not want to take away the 26 January public holiday. Council is simply looking for more culturally respectful ways to mark 26 January.
Why doesn't Council stick to 'rates, roads and rubbish'?
It is the role of the Council to provide governance and leadership for the local community through advocacy, decision making and action. Under the Victorian Local Government Act 2020 we have a responsibility to deliver a range of essential programs and services that are accessible, equitable and meet the needs of the Darebin community
Further to this, Section 8 of the Act states that Council must act “for the benefit and wellbeing of the municipal community”. Darebin's local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community has told us that 26 January celebrations have a significant negative impact on their health and wellbeing. As a Council, we have a legislative responsibility to ensure everyone’s health and wellbeing (Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008) and foster human rights (Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006), including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural rights.
This is a Federal Government issue, why is Darebin Council getting involved?
We are getting involved because this is a local issue as much as it is a national one. The way we mark 26 January has a significant negative impact on the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. We have a long-standing and collaborative relationship with Darebin's Aboriginal community and are proud to be a leader on Aboriginal issues within the Local Government sector. Darebin also has a long-standing link to this issue through Aboriginal Elders Bill Onus, Jack Patten, Margaret Tucker and Pastor Douglas Nicholls who were part of the 'Day of Mourning' protest in Sydney on 26 January in 1938. All of these Elders went on to play strong leadership roles in Darebin's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
26 January is our national day of celebration – why should the date be changed?
The date should be changed so it can be a celebration that includes all Australians – especially First Australians. Australia Day only became a national public holiday celebrated by all states and territories in 1994.
Will Darebin City Council be cancelling Australia Day celebrations?
No. Council does not hold national celebrations on 26 January.
In August 2017, Darebin Council decided not to hold a citizenship ceremony on 26 January and instead to move it to another date in the year out of respect for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Councils hold multiple citizenship ceremonies throughout the year, however the Federal Government has revoked our right to preside over citizenship ceremonies in our local community.
Can Darebin residents still celebrate 26 January?
The Darebin community is welcome to celebrate on 26 January in any way they choose. We encourage people to reflect about what this date really means in the history of our nation and its effect on the local Aboriginal and Torres Straitl Islander community.
How your 26 January event can be more inclusive?
If you would like to take part in an inclusive activity on 26 January that respects and recognises Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, here is a list of events and activities for you to consider.
Share the Spirit Festival
A family-friendly free festival with music, singing, dancing, and great food. All Welcome.
Where: Treasury Gardens, 2-18 Spring Street, Melbourne
Time: 12pm – 7pm
Details: facebook.com/sharethespiritfestival
Invasion/Survival Day March
Where: Parliament Gardens, Spring Street, Melbourne (assemble at Pastor Douglas and Gladys Nicholls statue)
Time: 11am – 2pm onwards
Details: facebook.com/WARcollective
Invasion Day Dawn Service
Where: Kings Domain Resting Place, located near Linlithgow Avenue opposite Janet Lady Clarke Rotunda in Naarm (Melbourne).
Time: 5.30am – 6.30am
Details: facebook.com/events/1056028034740801/
Belgrave Survival Day
Where: Bill Borthwick Park, Belgrave
Time: 12pm - 4:30pm
Details: www.facebook.com/events/623418318228130/
3KND Kool 'N' Deadly Top 100 Indigenous Songs Of All Time
Where: Listen to the countdown on 3KND by tuning to 1503AM or online.
Time: 9am - 4pm
Details: https://www.3knd.org.au/
3CR Invasion Day Broadcast
Where: Listen by tuning radio to 855AM or online.
Time: 9am - 4pm
Details: www.3cr.org.au/news/2020-invasion-day-coverage
Tips for a Respectful Jan 26 Event
There are lots of different organisations out there promoting conversation about what 26 January means, and offering ideas about activities for the day. Here’s a sample of ideas and links:
- Listen to 3KND radio's Too Deadly January 26 Australian music special - 24 hours of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other music.
- Write something on social media about what 26 January means to you. Why are you marking it the way you are? What are your hopes for the future? Search these hashtags on social media for ideas and inspiration #ADateForAll #ChangeTheDate #SharedDreaming #OneMob #BigCountryBigHistory #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe
- Have a conversation with friends, family members about what 26 January means to you – what does it actually celebrate and does it reflect who we are as a nation? Australians Together offers some interesting thought starters.
- Change it Ourselves offers suggestions for people wanting to talk to their employer about working on Australia Day instead of taking the day as a holiday.
- Read an Acknowledgement of Country statement to family, friends or loved ones during a quiet moment or before a meal on 26 January.
Share the Spirit Festival
A family-friendly free festival with music, singing, dancing, and great food. All Welcome.
Where: Treasury Gardens, 2-18 Spring Street, Melbourne
Time: 12pm – 7pm
Details: facebook.com/sharethespiritfestival
Invasion/Survival Day March
Where: Parliament Gardens, Spring Street, Melbourne (assemble at Pastor Douglas and Gladys Nicholls statue)
Time: 11am – 2pm onwards
Details: facebook.com/WARcollective
Invasion Day Dawn Service
Where: Kings Domain Resting Place, located near Linlithgow Avenue opposite Janet Lady Clarke Rotunda in Naarm (Melbourne).
Time: 5.30am – 6.30am
Details: facebook.com/events/1056028034740801/
Belgrave Survival Day
Where: Bill Borthwick Park, Belgrave
Time: 12pm - 4:30pm
Details: www.facebook.com/events/623418318228130/
Port Phillip Morning of Mourning
Where: Alfred Square, St Kilda
Time: 6am
Details: portphillip.vic.gov.au/indigenous.htm#australia-day
3KND Kool 'N' Deadly Top 100 Indigenous Songs Of All Time
Where: Listen to the coutdown on 3KND by tuning to 1503AM or online.
Time: 9am - 4pm
Details: https://www.3knd.org.au/
3CR Invasion Day Broadcast
Where: Listen by tuning radio to 855AM or online.
Time: 9am - 4pm
Details: www.3cr.org.au/news/2020-invasion-day-coverage
There are lots of different organisations out there promoting conversation about what 26 January means, and offering ideas about activities for the day. Here’s a sample of ideas and links:
- Listen to 3KND radio's Too Deadly January 26 Australian music special - 24 hours of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Mainstream music.
- Write something on social media about what 26 January means to you. Why are you marking it the way you are? What are your hopes for the future? Search these hashtags on social media for ideas and inspiration #ADateForAll #ChangeTheDate #SharedDreaming #OneMob #BigCountryBigHistory #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe
- Have a conversation with friends, family members about what 26 January means to you – what does it actually celebrate and does it reflect who we are as a nation? Australians Together offers some interesting thought starters.
- Change it Ourselves offers suggestions for people wanting to talk to their employer about working on Australia Day instead of taking the day as a holiday.
- Read an Acknowledgement of Country statement to family, friends or loved ones during a quiet moment or before a meal on 26 January.
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