Backlash erupts after surprise council move leaves locals fuming

A new decision by a regional council has reignited the long-standing debate around one of the country’s most polarising public holidays.

While Australia Day has always stirred strong opinions, this latest move has struck a nerve with locals who feel their views are being ignored.

Now, community members are voicing their frustration after being blindsided by the unexpected change.


In a move that’s ruffled more than a few feathers, Dubbo Regional Council, located in the heart of the Orana Region, has voted to shift its official Australia Day ceremonies from the traditional 25 January to 26 January, starting next year.

This decision, made at a council meeting on Tuesday, comes despite a local poll showing a whopping 87 per cent of residents wanted to keep the celebrations on the original date.

The reaction is outrage, confusion, and a sense of being ignored. One local didn’t mince words, calling the change ‘absolutely outrageous’ and ‘an abuse of power’.


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Dubbo Regional Council in NSW has voted to move Australia Day ceremonies from 26 January to 25 January next year, despite strong opposition from locals. Credit: Facebook


‘I’m angry about it. Decisions as big as a country celebration should be a community vote only,’ they said.

Another resident argued, ‘The date is always over-exaggerated on why and how it’s celebrated.’

So, what’s behind the council’s controversial move? Labour Councillor Pam Wells, a well-known Aboriginal activist, successfully pushed for the amendment.


She referred to January 26 as ‘Survival Day’—a term used by many Indigenous Australians who see the date as a painful reminder of colonisation, rather than a day of national pride.

There’s a growing movement across the country to change the date to one that all Australians can celebrate, and Dubbo’s decision is the latest chapter in this ongoing debate.

Interestingly, Dubbo’s new date will now align with nearby Wellington, which has held its own Australia Day event on 25 January since 2023.

The council says this change is about ‘balancing the needs of the community’ and providing a range of activities for everyone.

In a social media response to a frustrated local, the council clarified: ‘We have not changed the date of Australia Day. Council determined that events and activities to recognise Australia Day in Dubbo and Wellington will be held on 25 January. We encourage residents to spend Australia Day on 26 January in a way that is meaningful to them.’

But not everyone is convinced. Councillor Shibli Chowdhury, who proposed an amendment to keep the ceremonies on January 26, saw his motion voted down six to three.


He expressed disappointment, saying, ‘We need to move to the future together and as an elected body we need to listen.’

He cited a survey of 109 locals, where 87 per cent wanted the ceremony to remain on the 26th.

Councillor Lukas Butler also referenced the survey, but it was dismissed by some as ‘not statistically significant’ due to the small sample size.

The debate over Australia Day’s date is nothing new. For many Indigenous Australians, 26 January marks the beginning of a long and painful history of dispossession and struggle.

For others, it’s a day to celebrate the nation’s achievements and multicultural identity.

The push to ‘Change the Date’ has gained momentum in recent years, with some councils and organisations choosing to hold alternative events or move their official ceremonies.


But what happens when a council’s decision goes against the overwhelming wishes of its community? That’s the question now facing Dubbo, and it’s one that’s likely to echo in other towns and cities as the national conversation continues.

For our members, this issue might hit close to home. Many of us have fond memories of Australia Day barbecues, citizenship ceremonies, and community events.

But we also know the importance of listening to all voices and finding ways to move forward together.
Key Takeaways

  • Dubbo Regional Council in NSW has voted to move Australia Day ceremonies from 26 January to 25 January next year, despite strong opposition from locals.
  • A local poll showed 87 per cent of residents were against changing the date, with many expressing anger and calling the move an ‘abuse of power’.
  • The change was led by Councillor Pam Wells, who argued for a more inclusive celebration and referred to 26 January as ‘Survival Day’ for Indigenous Australians.
  • Some councillors and community members criticised the decision, arguing that the council ignored community feedback, while the council claimed that the new date offered a balance for all residents.
What do you think, members? Should councils have the power to move Australia Day ceremonies, or should the community have the final say? Have you seen similar debates in your area? And how do you feel about the ongoing discussion around Australia Day’s date?

We’d love to hear your thoughts. Please share your opinions and experiences in the comments below.

Read more: Local council's bold move to change Australia Day celebrations sparks community debate
 
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Survival Day is that what the "Indigenous call it'?
Ok , lets remove all official and un-official help and handouts to these moaning people.
So they can go back to their "tradional life".
Yes, Like the immigrants, want the handouts, then get ready to takeover. Survival Day, I wonder how many of them have paid tax...ever. Not on Centrelink.
 
Long & painful memories, what a lot of stupid rot. None of them would even remember that time as they were not even born. It's just so ridiculous to have to acknowledge them at all & Govt needs to wake up & realise that it is all Australians, not just indigenousness Country. They already get enough acknowledgement with all the freebies they get.
 
It is high time that people actually researached why Austsralia Day is when it is. Captain Cook DID NOT aprrive in Australia until APRIL 1770.

An act of Parliament was passed in 1948/49 for us to become AUSTRALIAN CITIZENS and NOT continue being British subjects. Guess what date that act of Parliament came into affect??? Could it possibly have been a certain date in January? Yes it was.

Time for the media to start reminding people of these facts. Come to Victoria where Jacinta has decided that over $200 million can be spent of some sort of treaty with the indigenous folk but can't possible provide $20 million for pallitive care!!!
 
She referred to January 26 as ‘Survival Day’—a term used by many Indigenous Australians who see the date as a painful reminder of colonisation, rather than a day of national pride.Hasn't stopped them from taking the Billions of Dollars in Handouts Over The Years, And they've been robbed blind by their own.
That is not a term used by many indigenous people !
It’s a term used by many activists! Most of whom are not indigenous and have no actual tie to be indigenous !
It’s all a fn scam !
 
located in the heart of the Orana Region, has voted to shift its official Australia Day ceremonies from the traditional 25 January to 26 January, starting next year

Australia day is the 26th January not the 25th.

There is no need to change the date, what needs to be done is put the past in the past and come together and celebrate Australia as one .

Today's Australians had nothing to do with the invasion or the stolen generation. Maybe if they need to blame someone then blame the culprits The English !!
Exactly
 
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Whatever the date, there will always people who choose to complain. We cannot change what happened in the past, so we have had a national apology and let's move on. Even most 'indigenous' Australians now have other nationalities blood in them and it is good they are proud but we are ALL Australians. Many have ancestors with no choice about being transported here. Many others came seeking refuge from horrific situations in their own countries. Some like me chose to come her after marrying an Australian in Europe.
26 January was NOT the day of the first landing. Are we going to feel grievances for the next 200 years? The French were waiting off the coast to 'invade' but the Brits landed first. What do people think would have happened to this country? Would the "unblended" descendants of our original inhabitants still be living in tribal groups hunting, gathering and fighting each other over their territories? I doubt that life would have continued for 200+ more years. So, let's look to the future and the benefits we all enjoy and celebrate being Australian.
 
the Dubbo council needs to look in the mirror .they are elected by the majority of citizens to do the work they are EMPLOYED to do (not act like the lords of the manor).We have a national govt to run Australia . Dubbo has a LOCAL mandate to run LOCAL AFFAIRS.this is why we have different levels of govt.Dubbo council ...you are NOT lords of the manor you are paid by the voters of Dubbo to run local affairs and leave national and state affairs to the elected polls. If you have any suggestions contact your State or national polly and offer your suggestions, that is what they are paid by us to do
 
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Well, I understood Australia Day to have always been 26 January! Certainly in Melbourne it has been. My eldest granddaughter was born on Australia Day, 26 January. I could understand a CHANGE to 25 January though.
 
Here's a novel idea!

Let's combine the date of Australia Day with India's Republic Day, which both fall on January 26.

That will appease to all the curry munching Uber and taxi drivers, 7=11, Pizza Hut, Domino's, Hungry Jacks and KFC franchisees, operators and staff!

Considering there are as many of them in Australia as what there is Indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders!
 
I'm 74 and Australia Day has always been on 26 January. Why change something to appease some. I understand that the Aboriginal People suffered on that date, but that was 1770. A lot of as changed since that date and we all should move forwards not backwards. A lot of non indigenous people were killed then by Aboriginal people. Can we get compensation for them??
No I don't think so. I have a few dear friends that are Aboriginal and they are sick of the division a few are doing to our country. I say our which includes everyone who lives here, Aboriginal or not!!!!
 
The sooner they start DNA testing these pretend Aboriginals and get rid of the faux people you don't have too many real ones left and they don't even live in the cities and couldn't give a shit what the white man does. We have to put our foot down to the hypocrites who take our payments and everything else they can get their greedy hands on, yet hate everything about us.
I totally agree with you. In my opinion white people who claim to be an aboriginal are insulting the true aboriginals. Go outback and you will see true aboriginals are black, not like the pretend aboriginals in the cities with their hands out. The true aboriginals outback don't want to know about the white aborigines (according to what they have told me). So before you criticize what I have said: know that you will be criticizing the true aboriginals.
 
don't care what day it is -- the point here that every one is overlooking conveniently is this--Councillors are elected by rate payers to carry out council business and they do not have a constitutional authority to change holidays to suit them selves
If the survey shows 87% wanted the date to remain the same then it is beholden on the Councillors to abide by the rate payers decision REGARDLESS
They are just paid by the rate payers and should if they are responsible people OBEY what the rates payers decide and not consider themselves above the rate payers to do what they like
 

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