Tara Murray
Whittlesea council has pulled the pin on Australia Day celebrations in 2021.
The council’s administrators voted in favour of changes to the city’s celebrations on January 26 as part of a broader review of all festivals and events to ensure they are inclusive, safe and offer the best value.
Council normally holds an event from 6-9.30pm on January 26, which includes music, entertainment, food and fireworks.
It also holds a citizenship ceremony and announces the winners of the Whittlesea Australia Day awards on that day.
Just 1500 people attended this year’s event, which didn’t have fireworks as a mark of respect for bushfire-affected communities. It cost $83,740 to run, more than $8000 over budget.
Whittlesea chair of administrators Lydia Wilson said the decision to take a different approach to January 26 was multifaceted.
It includes complexities around the date, particularly for the local Aboriginal community, summer risks with fireworks, rising event costs and evolving restrictions around gatherings due to COVID-19.
“Most festivals and events were cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions around gatherings, whichhas provided an opportune time to conduct a thorough review,” she said.
“We want to ensure they are aligned with our community’s expectations around cultural appropriateness, value for money, seasonal risks and community health.
“Council acknowledged that January 26 is a complex and contested date to celebrate Australia Day. We recognise this causes distress for many people living in our community, and we are committed to moving forward in a way that will build relationships and understanding.”
Whittlesea has the second-highest Aboriginal population in Melbourne.
In February 2019, the Whittlesea Reconciliation Group submitted a joint letter to council calling for the date of Australia Day to be changed.
In response, the former council voted to proceed with planned Australia Day festivities but to also include a ‘mourning service’ as part of the day.
Council chief executive Craig Lloyd said there is a lot to celebrate about being an Australian.
“We’re a country that includes everyone, we take care of each other and we believe that every Australian deserves a fair go. Australia Day should be as inclusive as our country is,” he said.
“But current celebrations on Australia Day don’t include all Australians. For Aboriginal Australians in particular, January 26 represents a very painful time in our history.
“We’re at a point now where we need to review our events on January 26 out of respect to our whole community, to ensure we can live our vision to make the City of Whittlesea a place for all.”
Community consultation on future festival and events will commence in the first half of 2021 with outcomes presented to the council for consideration by July.
The council will pilot a community awards program at another time in 2021 in lieu of Australia Day awards. A report to council said there has been declining nominations for the awards in recent years.
A citizenship ceremony will still occur on January 26, in line with federal government requirements.
