Local council's bold move to change Australia Day celebrations sparks community debate
- Replies 25
In a move that has sparked both controversy and conversation, a local council has made the unprecedented decision to revise the historical date of national celebrations.
The decision ignited a broader debate over tradition, identity, and the evolving understanding of significant events in Australia’s past.
The change has sent ripples through the community, with some residents and local groups expressing dismay while others applaud the council for taking a stand.
Australia Day, a national holiday marked by community events, barbecues, and fireworks, has long been a day of reflection on the nation's history and a celebration of its diverse society.
However, the date also carries a weight of historical sorrow for many Indigenous Australians, who see it as a reminder of the British colonisation and the subsequent impact on their communities.
The City of Mitcham's decision to shift its celebrations to January 23, 2025, is a bold step that aligns with the council's previous stance on the matter.
Mayor Dr Heather Holmes-Ross, who has been a vocal advocate for changing the date of Australia Day, led the council in a 2021 campaign to officially oppose the January 26 date.
The council's website invites the community to join in the festivities, which will include a range of activities from a free sausage sizzle to live music and a citizenship ceremony.
‘Head along to the Soldiers Memorial Gardens at Mitcham Memorial Library to celebrate Australia Day on Thursday 23 January 2025,’ the listing reads.
‘Join us from 5 PM to 8 PM for a free evening of activities and entertainment, including food stalls, free sausage sizzle, children's Storytime, face painting, kids activities, a henna artist and live music including a performance by Mitcham City Brass.’
‘Witness a citizenship ceremony and the Citizen of the Year awards presentation where City of Mitcham residents who make a difference in the community will be recognised, along with grant recipients,’ the post continued.
Citizenship ceremonies are a key element of many official Australia Day events and, by law, must take place within three days of January 26, as stipulated by the federal parliament.
The move to change the date of the celebration was not without its detractors.
A local resident expressed their intention to boycott the event, stating, ‘I won't be attending fake celebrations on the 23rd [of] January.’
In July, Mitcham Council decided to move Australia Day celebrations away from the official date, following a motion put forward by Councillor Joanna Wells.
The motion decided that starting this year, Mitcham will hold Australia Day ceremonies and events ‘on the closest Thursday to Australia Day’.
This was ‘to avoid additional costs associated with facilitating the event on a public holiday, and to avoid scheduling the event on a day which may cause distress to First Nations Peoples’.
Mayor Dr Heather Holmes-Ross led a campaign to change the date of Australia Day in 2021, when Mitcham became the first Australian council to officially oppose January 26 by sending letters to federal and state parliamentarians urging a date change.
‘This motion is about unifying all Australians,’ the mayor wrote on social media after the council approved her motion.
‘We embrace Australia Day—our national day of celebration. We just object to the date. At the moment we celebrate Australia on 26 January, which is, for some, a date of sorrow.’
‘Why wouldn't we, as a nation, choose a date where we can be united in our celebration of this wonderful country?’ she added.
Mayor Holmes-Ross argued she did not ‘accept the argument that it is not the place of local government to debate this topic’.
‘That is an excuse to hide behind,’ she said.
‘As the level of government closest to the community, it is absolutely our place to have this discussion.’
While the motion passed, it did not receive unanimous support from all councillors.
One described it as a ‘feel-good’ proposal lacking substance, claiming it was passed ‘without even consulting the community’.
Conservative activist group Advance Australia, which opposed Dr Holmes-Ross after the motion, accused the mayor of being an activist ‘who hates Australia Day’ for refusing to hold events on the official date.
‘Councils across the country have been infiltrated by anti-Australian campaigners trying to destroy our national day,’ Advance spokesperson Sandra Bourke stated.
‘The vast majority of Aussies are proud of Australia Day and want to celebrate it on January 26.’
‘That includes ratepayers in the City of Mitcham,’ she added.
The debate over changing Australia Day celebrations continues to intensify, with local councils leading the charge for rethinking tradition.
This growing trend has extended beyond councils, as several venues across the country have stirred further controversy by opting out of official Australia Day events.
However, just days after making this decision, some of these venues quickly backtracked, reigniting the discussion on whether such moves are in line with community values.
Members of the Seniors Discount Club, we invite you to share your thoughts on this topic. How do you feel about the decision to change the date of Australia Day celebrations? Do you think it's important for local councils to take a stand on national issues, or should they stick to more traditional roles? Your opinions are valuable, and we look forward to hearing from you in the comments below.
The decision ignited a broader debate over tradition, identity, and the evolving understanding of significant events in Australia’s past.
The change has sent ripples through the community, with some residents and local groups expressing dismay while others applaud the council for taking a stand.
Australia Day, a national holiday marked by community events, barbecues, and fireworks, has long been a day of reflection on the nation's history and a celebration of its diverse society.
However, the date also carries a weight of historical sorrow for many Indigenous Australians, who see it as a reminder of the British colonisation and the subsequent impact on their communities.
The City of Mitcham council in south Adelaide will hold its Australia Day celebrations on January 23, three days earlier than the official date. Credit: City of Mitcham / Facebook
The City of Mitcham's decision to shift its celebrations to January 23, 2025, is a bold step that aligns with the council's previous stance on the matter.
Mayor Dr Heather Holmes-Ross, who has been a vocal advocate for changing the date of Australia Day, led the council in a 2021 campaign to officially oppose the January 26 date.
The council's website invites the community to join in the festivities, which will include a range of activities from a free sausage sizzle to live music and a citizenship ceremony.
‘Head along to the Soldiers Memorial Gardens at Mitcham Memorial Library to celebrate Australia Day on Thursday 23 January 2025,’ the listing reads.
‘Join us from 5 PM to 8 PM for a free evening of activities and entertainment, including food stalls, free sausage sizzle, children's Storytime, face painting, kids activities, a henna artist and live music including a performance by Mitcham City Brass.’
‘Witness a citizenship ceremony and the Citizen of the Year awards presentation where City of Mitcham residents who make a difference in the community will be recognised, along with grant recipients,’ the post continued.
Citizenship ceremonies are a key element of many official Australia Day events and, by law, must take place within three days of January 26, as stipulated by the federal parliament.
The move to change the date of the celebration was not without its detractors.
A local resident expressed their intention to boycott the event, stating, ‘I won't be attending fake celebrations on the 23rd [of] January.’
In July, Mitcham Council decided to move Australia Day celebrations away from the official date, following a motion put forward by Councillor Joanna Wells.
The motion decided that starting this year, Mitcham will hold Australia Day ceremonies and events ‘on the closest Thursday to Australia Day’.
This was ‘to avoid additional costs associated with facilitating the event on a public holiday, and to avoid scheduling the event on a day which may cause distress to First Nations Peoples’.
Mayor Dr Heather Holmes-Ross led a campaign to change the date of Australia Day in 2021, when Mitcham became the first Australian council to officially oppose January 26 by sending letters to federal and state parliamentarians urging a date change.
‘This motion is about unifying all Australians,’ the mayor wrote on social media after the council approved her motion.
‘We embrace Australia Day—our national day of celebration. We just object to the date. At the moment we celebrate Australia on 26 January, which is, for some, a date of sorrow.’
‘Why wouldn't we, as a nation, choose a date where we can be united in our celebration of this wonderful country?’ she added.
Mayor Holmes-Ross argued she did not ‘accept the argument that it is not the place of local government to debate this topic’.
‘That is an excuse to hide behind,’ she said.
‘As the level of government closest to the community, it is absolutely our place to have this discussion.’
While the motion passed, it did not receive unanimous support from all councillors.
One described it as a ‘feel-good’ proposal lacking substance, claiming it was passed ‘without even consulting the community’.
Conservative activist group Advance Australia, which opposed Dr Holmes-Ross after the motion, accused the mayor of being an activist ‘who hates Australia Day’ for refusing to hold events on the official date.
‘Councils across the country have been infiltrated by anti-Australian campaigners trying to destroy our national day,’ Advance spokesperson Sandra Bourke stated.
‘The vast majority of Aussies are proud of Australia Day and want to celebrate it on January 26.’
‘That includes ratepayers in the City of Mitcham,’ she added.
The debate over changing Australia Day celebrations continues to intensify, with local councils leading the charge for rethinking tradition.
This growing trend has extended beyond councils, as several venues across the country have stirred further controversy by opting out of official Australia Day events.
However, just days after making this decision, some of these venues quickly backtracked, reigniting the discussion on whether such moves are in line with community values.
.png){kind=icon}
