MidCoast Councillor's attempt to undermine respect given to First Nation’s custodians
Act now - Oppose Cr Graham's proposed motion
Write to all MidCoast Councillors stating your objection to Cr Graham’s divisive motion and encouraging them to vote it down. Sample email and list of councillors are here.
Join the Birpai community and allies to protest at 9 AM and support any public speech at Council's public forum at 10 AM prior to the Council meeting on Wednesday, 5 February 2025 at 2:00 PM at Yalawanyi Ganya, 2 Biripi Way, Taree South. If you intend to speak at the forum, the online form asks you for the name and number of the item you wish to speak against. It is: Item 12.3, Notice Motion 3. The form has to be submitted by 12 noon on the day before the meeting.
Background
MidCoast Councillor Mick Graham has proposed the following motion to undermine Council's Acknowledgement of Country wording:
That Council discontinues the practice of a 'Welcome to Country' and ‘Acknowledgement of Country’ at all future Council Meetings and all other Council constituted meetings as well as all communications including emails.
Why you should lobby Councillors to oppose the motion
A Welcome to Country is simply a mark of respect through honouring the protocol used for thousands of years by the traditional and original owners of the country on which the occasion is held. It is a small ceremony that gently and peacefully sets the tone for the proceedings to follow. It has important cultural significance for Aboriginal peoples and is practiced at the highest levels of the Australian government and the judicial courts of the land, as examples.
The purpose of Acknowledging Country, is to publicly recognise that the land you are on was first inhabited by the Traditional Owners for tens of thousands of years prior to the arrival of Europeans. It was not Terra Nullius and the Traditional Owners continue their connection to Country to this day.
Acknowledging Country is deeply appreciated by any Indigenous people that might be present and it’s also an opportunity to enlighten and inspire non-Indigenous people.
It helps create a kinder, more inclusive Australia.
Supporting and doing an Acknowledgement of Country does not exclude, nor does it diminish, the contributions of others in our communities; rather it recognises those Australian’s who have lived here for thousands of years.
What You Can Do:
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Register to Speak at the Public Forum at 10AM: Fill out the form (speaker registration form). You are not allowed to speak unless the form has been filled.
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Attend the Meeting at 2PM:
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If the motion passes (to stop the welcome/acknowledgement), consider a peaceful walkout in protest.
If the motion fails, stay and show support for maintaining these practices.
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Protest: Gather in front of the council at 9:30 AM or 2:00 PM to demonstrate community condemnation of the motion.
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Spread the Word: Inform others about this motion and encourage participation