Shire yet to unfurl its flag schedule

THE Surf Coast Shire council is yet to unfurl its schedule about what flags will be flown outside the Civic Centre in Torquay, with councillors to discuss the issue further.

The council adopted a Flag Policy in 2018 following considerable debate about the shire flying the rainbow flag in support of the same-sex marriage debate, but has never had a calendar to determine what flags should be flown and when.

In December last year, councillors resolved to receive a report at a future meeting about a potential calendar, and considered that report at their February 23 meeting.

According to the report, there would be 10 entries on the flag schedule:

• RSL Flag (Front Lawn) to signify Anzac Day (April 25), for the entirety of April
• Flags flown at half-mast (Ceremonial & Civic Centre, and Front Entrance) on Anzac Day itself in accordance with Australian Flag Protocols
• The Rainbow Flag (Front Lawn) to signify IDAHOBIT (May 17) for the entirety of May (instead of a week)
• The Torres Strait Island Flag (Ceremonial & Civic Centre, and Front Entrance) would replace the shire’s flag on National Sorry Day (May 26), in accordance with Department of Premier and Cabinet protocol
• The Torres Strait Island Flag Ceremonial & Civic Centre, and Front Entrance) would replace the shire’s flag during Reconciliation Week (May 27-June 3) in accordance with Australian Flag Protocols
• The Torres Strait Island Flag Ceremonial & Civic Centre, and Front Entrance) would replace the Surf Coast Shire Flag during NAIDOC Week (July 4-11) in accordance with Australian Flag Protocols
• The RSL Flag (Front Lawn) to signify Vietnam Veterans Day (August 18), for the entirety of August
• The RSL Flag (Front Lawn) to signify Remembrance Day (November 11), for the entirety of November
• The Transgender Flag (Pond) for the Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, and
• Flying the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Flags (Ceremonial & Civic Centre, and Front Entrance) at half-mast on Australia Day (January 26, 2022).

Cr Kate Gazzard successfully moved the motion be deferred to the council’s March 23 meeting, which was supported by six councillors but opposed by three (Cr Heather Wellington, Cr Gary Allen, and Cr Paul Barker).

Cr Gazzard apologised for not giving councillors more notice about her plan to add more entries to the schedule.

Cr Wellington said the council should adopt the schedule in its present form.

“This has the potential to be very divisive and difficult, as it was last time,” she said.

“With the greatest respect, it’s not a vehicle for us all to promote our own areas of particular interest; we need to find a balance.”