Maribyrnong council will no longer hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26.
At their meeting on Tuesday, September 12, councillors voted to stop holding ceremonies on Australia Day in recognition that 26 January is considered a day of reflection, mourning and loss for many First Nations communities.
Council will now adhere to the federal government Citizenship Code and hold ceremonies on the three days either side of January 26.
Councillor Michael Clarke said council engaged the First Nations community, both the broader established community and the newly arrived.
“We wanted to hear what they thought about the 26th of January. From each and every one of those First Nations people it was very clear that January 26th must be seen as a date where we reflect on our history, for better and for worse,” he said.
“We have to understand that black history and white history is one history and that is in Australian history.
“We need to understand that whilst some will use this day as a day of celebration, perhaps we better use this as a day of reflection.”
Council noted the recent changes to the federal government’s Citizenship Code, which now enables councils to choose on which dates citizenship ceremonies are held.
Councillor Bernadette Thomas said the citizenship ceremonies are important and so is the idea to shift them away from January 26.
“People are understanding of that hurt and the trauma and the reasons behind why we might take that decision,“ she said.
“I think in shifting the date it also offers an opportunity to continue with bringing the First Nations element into our citizenship ceremonies.
“Having somebody who can welcome the new citizens to Country by having a smoking ceremony and potentially other activities, will provide an opportunity for our local First Nations groups to welcome those people to Country.“
Councillor Simon Crawford said moving the ceremonies is the final step for council moving away from January 26 as a whole.
“I started about six years ago when we started moving our events away from the 26th of January,“ he said.
“We have since established events of reflection and mourning.
“Let’s keep moving in the right direction, let’s change the date for Australia.”
