By Oliver Lees
Hume councillor Jack Medcraft has proposed the council no longer participate in Australia Day celebrations on January 26, describing it as a “sad day” for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
At last night’s council meeting, Cr Medcraft suggested that Hume council consult with its Reconciliation Action Group Working Group (RAPWG) and the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Culture Heritage Aboriginal Corporation to identify a more inclusive date of celebration.
Cr Medcraft also proposed that council write to Prime Minister Scott Morrison to advocate for the changing of the January 26 holiday nationally.
January 26 first became a public holiday for all states and territories in 1994.
The date recognises the landing of the First Fleet in 1788 and the raising of the Union Flag at Sydney Cove.
In recent years, the celebration of the date has become a point of contention, with First Nations organisations such as Common Ground naming the holiday ‘Invasion Day’, as it marks the beginning of the United Kingdom’s colonial presence in Australia.
Cr Medcraft said a new date would help foster unity across the country.
“Basically, it’s a division day,” Cr Medcraft said.
“I’d like to put it out there that Hume is recognising that the day might not be approved by a lot of people, but at least we can give them a substitute.”
Sunbury Aboriginal Corporation board member and Kamilaroi man Dean Duncan told Star Weekly he supported Cr Medcraft’s proposal to council.
“[January 26] creates a lot of animosity between the people of Australia, because that’s the day our lives and our history changed as Aboriginal people, that’s why so many people oppose it,” Mr Duncan said.
Mr Duncan said there was popular support among the Aboriginal community to change the date to May 27, as that was the date (in 1967) when Australians voted to allow Aborginal people to be counted within the census.
“It’s a great move, and it’s something the community should be discussing,” he said.
Darebin and Moreland councils are among a number of local governments across Australia that have resolved to distance themselves from the January celebration.
Cr Naim Kurt, who is the current representative to council’s RAPWG, said he supported Cr Medcraft’s suggestion.
“Australia Day does cause a lot of hurt for our Indigenous and First Nations peoples and I think society is moving in the direction of recognizing that,” Cr Kurt said.
A majority of Hume’s councillors decided to suspend a decision on Cr Medcraft’s motion as they await a briefing from the RAPWG on the issue.
