Fern Summer, candidate for Yanha Gurtji Ward
Council’s decision to remove funding for events on Australia Day was only going to annoy people. Some events were held outside January 26, but ultimately, it pushed celebrations underground.
I did not support these changes, because any ‘Australia Day’ will always have overtones of colonisation. Changing the day won’t fix that and the debate will be ongoing. I wasn’t vocal at the time because I didn’t want to be held up as a poster child of the far right, especially so soon after a failed referendum.
We are only beginning to understand the terrible history and generational trauma faced by Indigenous Australians, and running away from it will solve nothing. I suspect, as time goes on, the meaning behind Australia Day will become more reflective and inclusive, but it is not up to the local government to change the date.
Tinkering around the edges caused more harm than good, so I stand by my position. It’s not racism, it’s common sense.