Macedon Ranges Shire Council has joined more than 30 per cent of Victorian councils and once more decided against hosting Australia Day celebrations in reconciliation with Indigenous Australians.
This action has been in place since August 2023 when the council voted 5-2 in favour of moving the annual Australia Day Awards and citizenship ceremony. To acknowledge the community that celebrates January 26, the council allocated a $5000 budget for local groups to hold unofficial and not-for-profit gatherings.
As per their website, “Australia Day/January 26 is not a day of celebration for all, especially for First Nations Australians” who make up 0.6 per cent (298 people) of the Macedon Ranges’ total population.
Mayor Dominic Bonanno said in a statement to the Midland Express, “there is not a blanket rule for all councils” and the Macedon Ranges aimed for a “respectful approach”.
“Australia Day means different things to different people, and for me, it is a day I can both reflect and celebrate our national day,” he said.
“We also support by endeavouring to attend or speak at these community-led events at the request of community groups – I’m grateful to have been given this opportunity at several events this year, after which I will be enjoying some lamb on the barbie with my family.”
Protesters critical of the holiday graffitied ‘Jan 26 is not a date to celebrate’ and ‘no pride in genocide’ on the walls of Woodend’s Returned and Services League building.
Branch president John McCausland said the club was not holding an official event and their facility had been booked by the local rotary club.
”We are a non-political organisation so we find politically motivated behaviours very disappointing and we have received support from the local community who are similarly disappointed at such behaviour,” he said.
The graffiti has since been removed and reported to the police.
CELEBRATION AND RECOGNITION
Mount Alexander Shire Council has also opted for a progressive position and is set to hold an ‘Australia Day – Survival Day’ event.
Mayor Rosie Annear said the strategy created “a day of both celebration and recognition” and was created in conjunction with Dja Dja Wurrung elders in 2018.
“Council’s Australia Day – Survival Day community event is unique, and one that respects our First Nations community’s right to mourn as well as their right to celebrate survival,” Ms Annear said.
Noting the “mixed feelings” in her shire, she hopes the event will unite both sides of the debate on Australia Day. Their celebrations include a Welcome to Country, a citizenship ceremony, the presentation of local Australia Day Awards, and a Survival Day concert.
Historically, Jan. 26 recognises the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 when British convicts entered an Australia solely inhabited by Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders.
Those advocating for the holiday emphasise the importance of a shared history, while some declare the day one of mourning for Indigenous people and believe the public holiday’s date should be changed. For many others, the historical context holds no importance and they simply take the opportunity to spend time with friends and family around the barbecue.
