Horsham council changes traditional land owner policy

The policy provides principles around the use of the acknowledgement of country statement and when it is appropriate for a Welcome to Country ceremony to be performed.

It also provides protocols for displaying the Aboriginal flag.

Council will use its full acknowledgement of country statement at the start of council meetings, citizenship ceremonies and civic receptions.

It will adopt a shortened version at significant events where members of the public, state or federal government representatives or media are present, and when the mayor, councillors and officers are speaking at events in the municipality organised by other parties. 

Cr Pam Clarke said the topic was close to her heart.

“I was a councillor at the time we moved this motion originally to acknowledge traditional owner groups,” she said.

“It is important we acknowledge it in a policy so we understand which acknowledgements we can do and at which functions we can do them.”

Cr David Grimble said in many ways, the policy addressed what councillors already did.

“I am pleased to see a shortened version there.

Cr Robin Barber said he did not think the full version was necessary at smaller gatherings.

“It’s fair enough at high-profile events, but in minor day to day meetings I don’t think it’s at all necessary,” he said.

“It’s overdoing it and defeating the purpose of it.”

Cr Radford said the acknowledgements were important.

“I read the declaration tonight before the council meeting. I don’t just do it because it’s something we have to do,” he said.

“I don’t think we can underestimate the importance and the signals it sends to both our Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities.”