Australia Day future funding feedback sought

By Contributed

Apr 16, 2025

Strathbogie Shire Council will consult the community on council’s support of Australia Day. Photo by Djembe Archibald

Strathbogie Shire Council is leading a community engagement initiative to assess council’s support of community events which acknowledge Australia Day.

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During a meeting of council in December last year, council decided to review its position on funding of Australia Day events.

Going forward, council committed to engaging the broader Strathbogie community, affected community groups and First Nations representatives in its process of consultation.

An engagement approach has been developed and was presented at the April 2025 meeting of council for consideration.

Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Claire Ewart-Kennedy said the process had been created to ensure a balanced and broad conversation.

“This is an important conversation for our community, and we are committed to an inclusive and respectful process,” Cr Ewart-Kennedy said.

“We understand that Australia Day holds different meanings for different people, and we want to ensure all voices are heard as we consider council’s future role in supporting these events.

“We acknowledge that Australia Day is the responsibility of the Federal Government, which determines its broader political implications.

“As a result, our local poll will be focused solely on what council can control — funding, representation and support of Australia Day events.”

Council’s objective is to understand the sentiment of the community and implement outcomes accordingly.

To gauge this sentiment, council endorsed an engagement approach involving a randomised telephone poll and an opt-in community poll, alongside other methods of community consultation.

Council is also set to invite presentations from the Taungurung Land and Waters Council and Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation, as well as from local Australia Day committees and groups which organise events on Australia Day.

A further report detailing the engagement’s outcomes will be presented to council at a future meeting.

“We encourage everyone in the community to take part,” Cr Ewart-Kennedy said.

“This is an opportunity to help shape how council supports this day moving forward — guided by community sentiment, cultural sensitivity, and an inclusive, transparent process for all.”

For more information or to participate in the poll, visit https://tinyurl.com/58y6y282