Thank you everyone for your support and especially the huge surge in signature numbers over the last 24-48 hours! It had an effect on the councillors. As many of you know, last night the Surfcoast Shire Council meeting rejected the motion to reintroduce "Australia Day" events. Instead they passed an alternative motion calling for good governance and to delay any decision. This will allow councillors to read a report to be prepared by Shire staff and to consult with the groups that would be most affected by any changes to current arrangements on 26th January. The motion lost very narrowly. Besides our petition and so forth, an alternative motion was a big part of what persuaded one councillor to change his mind and no longer support the original motion (4:5 became 5:4 our way). It was a nail-biting debate but many First Nations people and their allies went home happy about the narrow escape.
To: Councillors and Robin Seymour, CEO Surfcoast Shire Council
26th January in Surfcoast Shire
We are seriously concerned about the recent efforts of some Councillors to undermine Reconciliation on the Surf Coast and raise our objection to the mooted desire to return to Council formally celebrating this day.
Background
In 2017, the Uluru Statement from the Heart, with Voice, Treaty and Truth as its pillars, invited Australians to walk together for a better future. Surf Coast Shire Council accepted this invitation on 28th September 2021 when it resolved to not take part in Australia Day celebrations. Since then, the Council has flown the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags at half-mast on 26th January, consulted often with the Wadawurrung and Eastern Maar people, developed a Reconciliation Action Plan, and annually celebrated National Reconciliation Week, NAIDOC week, and Pilk Purriyn on 26th January.
Local truth-telling
Voice and Treaty are the prerogative of other levels of government, but Council can play a role in facilitating the key pillar of local truth-telling. To this end, Pilk Purriyn provides an opportunity for us all to hear from Wadawurrung elders about the harms done on 26th January and beyond. This has been a particularly moving annual event, attracting large crowds of about 2,000 people each year. Attendance at the dawn service shows there is a widespread community desire for such an opportunity to learn and reflect.
Why is this important?
Why this is important to us
We, the undersigned, strongly endorse the Council’s resolution in 2021 and its pursuit of reconciliation since then. It means a great deal to us that the Council has listened to the First Nations people when they say that 26th January is a day of mourning that raises memories of stolen children, the hiding of First Nations heritage, and similar trauma within immediate family circles.
What needs to happen
We expect the current Councillors to uphold the Council’s first steps towards paying due respect to the Wadawurrung and Eastern Maar people. These first steps need to be consolidated and expanded upon. In the future, we hope all Shire citizens can continue to learn more about the deep and rich heritage of an ancient culture that has survived and begun to thrive again, enriching the whole community.
How it will be delivered
Question Time at Council Meeting
What: Rally
When: 5:00pm. Tuesday, 25th February 2025
Where: Surfcoast Shire Council, 1 Merrijig Drive, Torquay
5:00pm start gathering outside
5:30pm speaker (house-keeping)
5:50pm enter Council Chamber