Council seeks conversation about January 26

THE City of Greater Geelong is embarking on a six-month conversation with First Nations people and the broader community on how to acknowledge January 26.

Initiated in response to a request from the Kilangitj Aboriginal Advisory Committee that provides advice to the council on First Nations matters, councillors unanimously endorsed the process at its last meeting.

“It is the committee’s desire that we create a safe, open and inclusive environment for this conversation and celebrate the spirit of Australia’s nationhood and the love of our country together in unity,” chair of the Kilangitj Advisory Committee Cr Jim Mason said.

A statement from the city stressed the council was not proposing to change the date for Australia Day, as that is a matter for the federal government.

Seven councillors spoke in support of the engagement that is timed to report back before January 26, 2023, to help guide the city on its future approach to activities and commemorations on the day.

“We have a long time to go on this journey; sometimes the truth is very difficult to hear,” Cr Mason said.

“Truths that explain why an original population of one million upon the arrival of the first fleet was reduced to 117,000 by Federation in 1901. Truths that massacres continued for 30 more years into the 1930s, truths that Aboriginals did not get the vote until 1967, or that the concept of terra nullius wasn’t erased until 1993. Truths that the Aboriginal First and Second World War veteran soldiers received no soldier settlement or other grants.”

Noting municipalities such Ballarat, Shepparton and the Surf Coast had already started reconciliation programs, Cr Mason said it was time for Geelong – home to the largest First Nations community in the state – to join the movement.

“Let us come up together with a celebration we can all enjoy, let us the multicultural inclusive city of design, the City of Greater Geelong with the largest aboriginal population in the state, let us have a meaningful discussion.”

Cr Peter Murrihy suggested that a change of federal government may assist with the process, given one of the first priorities made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on election night was to progress the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

“As long as people can have a mature conversation about this, the conversation should be constructive. It’s about talking, walking together, it’s about education so that everyone can feel that connection together,” he said.

“Maybe after the weekend’s election result, some of the conversations and decisions may not be as difficult as we first thought; we will see.”