Kyneton Town Hall will be lit up in Ukrainian flag colours for seven days as a sign of solidarity with the country and its people during the Russian invasion, signalling a welcome to any refugees entering the region.
At a meeting on Wednesday, April 27, Macedon Ranges councillors unanimously voted on a motion to support the country through welcoming refugees into the shire, and expressing gratitude to anyone providing aid to those people arriving with limited resources.
Councillor Rob Guthrie said he and Cr Anne Moore introduced the motion because of the wave of submissions they had received from the public about “the terrifying situation”.
“We want to stand with the people of Ukraine, show them our support, show them the support of this community,” Cr Guthrie said.
“And when they get here… we want to see what we can do to help them.”
Cr Bill West said it may help residents remember people struggling in other parts of the world, while Cr Geoff Neil said he supported the motion, but felt it didn’t go far enough.
“I think we should go one step further and make a more positive effort to support those that are actually living through this,” Cr Neil said.
Cr Janet Pearce acknowledged the council’s commitment to supporting refugees as a signatory to the Refugee Welcome Zone.
Mayor Jennifer Anderson said though some people may see the projection onto Kyneton Town Hall as tokenistic, it will be a public display that will “make people think”.
“There couldn’t be a citizen out there that doesn’t know what’s happening in Ukraine at the moment, and to have those colours there will let people know that we are very much aware of the plight of these people and that we are providing support,” Cr Anderson said.
