Hume council has bucked a growing trend of councils cancelling Australia Day, opting instead to host an Australia Day party in the park on January 26.
Councils across Melbourne, including neighbouring Whittlesea and Brimbank councils, have stepped away from hosting celebrations on Australia Day in recent years. But at a council meeting late last month, Hume councillors voted to mark the day with an event in Sunbury and a citizenship ceremony.
Councillor Trevor Dance was behind the push for an Australia Day event in the municipality.
The council held an Australia Day awards event until 2022.
“Australia Day had been slowly disappearing from Hume council’s acknowledgement of the day,” Cr Dance said.
“It brings the community together and we need to be proud of our national day and not bury it away.
“It is not an illegal day, we celebrate Easter, the AFL grand final, King’s birthday, Christmas and even car park openings are celebrated, so why not celebrate our nation’s most important day, Australia day?”
Cr Chris Hollow said Australia Day was about uniting the community.
“We need to recognise that this city is a multicultural city. whilst we also understand the pain and the hurt that is felt by our Indigenous community, we also need to understand there are other groups and people out there who will respect Australia Day for what it is,” he said.
“I don’t want to go down the path of what date Australia Day should be, however, while it remains January 26, let’s come together and unite as a community and enjoy cultures irrespective of our ancestral history.” “Australia Day should be about uniting and not dividing.”
A report to council said the party in the park would be held in Sunbury and could comprise of music performances, face painting and a sausage sizzle.
