Council to consider ‘avenue of flags’ to honour cultures who have contributed to region

Cr Dobson said he could see the concept helping acknowledge the wide range of cultures and people who have helped make the region what it is today.

“It’s often said that when Indigenous people see the Indigenous flag flying it means welcome to a community or to an event and I think in much the same way I think people coming into Shepparton from Albania or Iran, it doesn’t matter where they come from, that they see their flag and they say, ‘Well, we are welcome in this particular neck of the woods’,” he said.

“We have different and differing communities, but we don’t have a commonality so I believe that by having an avenue of flags that will show a commonality throughout the whole community.”

Cr Dobson suggested the plan could be developed over five years with five flags raised a year and assistance sought from various embassies and organisations to reduce the cost.

Cr Benjamin Ladson commended Cr Dobson for his proposal, as did Cr Dinny Adem, who said the avenue could lead to representatives from embassies visiting the region, creating opportunities for improved business links.

Cr Anthony Brophy said Shepparton is the most multicultural city in Victoria, possibly even Australia, and has the highest Indigenous population outside metropolitan Melbourne in Victoria.

“Let’s fly the flag up the flag pole and see how we go,” he said.

In 2021, Cr Sam Spinks put a motion to council that included having the LGBTQIA+ rainbow flag flown from council office buildings year-round, but the motion was lost.

In supporting the avenue of flags proposal, she reminded councillors that she believed the rainbow flag should also be flown.

“Overwhelmingly, I’m supportive of this (the avenue of flags),’’ she said.

“I think the report is going to be wonderful and I can’t wait to see what comes back in it, but, personally, I could not let it pass without pointing out that one little detail (about the rainbow flag).’’

Pakistan-born Cr Seema Abdullah spoke in favour of investigating the merits of an avenue of flags.

“This is something that I can personally relate to coming from a different country, yes, it brings that sense of pride when you see something about your country of origin so yes, it definitely gives that feeling of being welcome and for this community to be so inclusive,” she said.

However, Cr Abdullah supported Cr Spinks’ view that the absence of the rainbow flag should be corrected.

“For me, it is some food for thought,’’ she said.

“Why is it that one flag is so difficult to make it to this decision-making table whereas all the other flags are happily endorsed.’’

Cr Fern Summer congratulated Cr Dobson on his intentions, but said she found it difficult to justify the proposal given it had not been prompted by community consultation, was uncosted in the budget and the community is reeling from potential rate rises.

“If anything, what has come from the community, as stipulated by Crs Spinks and Abdullah, is that we need a rainbow flag above all other flags,” she said.

Speaking after the meeting, Mayor Shane Sali said the report would help establish the merit of an avenue of flags and suggested locations.

“I think any idea that gets tabled to acknowledge and recognise the significant contribution that different multicultural groups have made to our region is something that we should be discussing,” he said.