By Matthew Sims
Maribyrnong council has taken further steps to advocate to the federal government to change the date of a national celebration, while also recognising that January 26 is a day of mourning for First Nations people.
At its meeting on Tuesday, December 6, council passed a motion to continue to lower the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags to half-mast on January 26, continue to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26, write to federal government representatives, including the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to allow councils to decide whether to continue holding citizenship ceremonies on January 26 and advocate for them to consider changing the date of the national celebration.
Informed by communityu engagement during 2021 and a petition from Justice Action Maribyrnong which attracted more than 1200 signatures, the motion also outlined council would invite Traditional Owners to participate in citizenship ceremonies, work with local First Nations people to develop and implement better community education regarding their experience of January 26 and table an advocacy motion at the 2023 Australian Local Government Association National Conference.
Maribyrnong mayor Sarah Carter said the feedback received from the community reflected the need for respectful acknowledgment of First Nations people beyond a single day.
“We were told there needed to be a commitment to continue to engage, educate and inform around the wider issues and complexities,” she said.
“This is so that those who may not be as aware of the background to this significant and increasingly mainstream issue, particularly in respect to the experiences of First Nations Peoples, could better understand the stories and appreciate their journey.”
“They want their stories and their journey to be better understood and appreciated and it has been heartening to hear that a large part of our community wants that too.”
Councillor Michael Clarke said the region’s strength was in its diversity.
“With Australian history, there is a white history, but there is also a black history,” he said.
“As we merge these two histories…changes need to be made, sensitivities need to be observed.”
Justice Action Maribyrnong member John Chadderton said their group welcomed the council’s motion.
“We’re very pleased with it,” he said.
“We hope the larger structural issues in terms of the national date are addressed.”
Mr Chadderton said it was especially pleasing to have the council officially recognise January 26 as a “day of mourning”.
“That wording has a long history,” he said.
