Greensborough.
Following a City of Yarra and City of Darebin decision to drop Australia Day, Banyule City Council is to consider dropping Australia Day celebrations.
The cost of an extensive consultation process will be borne by Banyule ratepayers with the issue to be referred to a committee and the council will consult with the community.
Mayor Tom Melican told Diamond Valley Leader journalist Brittany Shanahan, “Since the decision of Yarra and Darebin, I’ve had many people contact me and express their views. There is certainly a mixture of views.
“At this stage, we need to work out where our community sits on this issue, before we make a decision,” Cr Melican said.
The City of Yarra and City of Darebin intend to hold ‘culturally appropriate events that would be respectful to indigenous Australians’ on Australia Day. Many indigenous Australians referring to the day as ‘Invasion Day’.
Banyule City Council covers outer north eastern suburbs including Heidelberg, Ivanhoe, Greensborough, Macleod and Watsonia, including parts of the former Shire of Diamond Valley and Heidelberg City Council.
The Federal Government since stripped both councils of their right to hold citizenship ceremonies.
Text & Images ©COPYRIGHT 2017 Kinglake Ranges News.
