Waverley Council has decided against expanding its Australia Day celebrations, including a proposed free barbecue, after its Indigenous advisory board advised that such events could cause a "negative impact and potential harm" to the local Indigenous community.
The council's First Nations Advisory Committee unanimously opposed the proposed expansion, stating that Australia Day is viewed as a "day of mourning" by many Aboriginal people and that celebrating on January 26th would be "at the expense of history and the devastation that resulted."
Liberal councillor Lauren Townsend had initially proposed a larger Australia Day event in June, but the estimated $400,000 cost was deemed prohibitive. A subsequent, more budget-friendly proposal for a $20,000 event featuring a free barbecue and market stalls was put forward by councillors Dov Frazer and Joshua Spicer.
Despite the revised budget, the council ultimately rejected the plan. Labor councillor Margaret Merten cited the advisory committee's unanimous opposition as the reason for her vote against the proposal. She noted that the committee suggested alternative "Survival Day" activities could be supported on Australia Day, but not celebrations that fall on January 26th.
Greens councillor Ludovico Fabiano also opposed the expansion, arguing that the council's current Australia Day program, which includes citizenship ceremonies, a Welcome to Country, and a barbecue, already strikes the appropriate balance.
Independent councillor Steven Lewis questioned the necessity of spending $20,000 on a barbecue when a similar event is already organized by the Bondi Surf Club, calling the proposal "unnecessary" and adding "nothing."
Councillors Frazer and Spicer defended the revised proposal, with Spicer stating it would offer "something for everyone" by combining various activities. Frazer acknowledged that January 26th is a day of mourning for many Indigenous Australians and that this "deserves respect." However, he argued that the expanded program, which begins with a Dawn Reflection ceremony honoring First Nations people, aligns with the committee's recommendation for a community barbecue after the dawn event, emphasizing that celebrating what has been built together is not a contradiction.
Waverley Council will maintain its existing Australia Day program for 2027, which includes a Dawn Reflection ceremony, citizenship proceedings, and a community barbecue.