Greater Geraldton mayor doubles down on Australia Day stance, calling for Federal Government to make a call

The City of Greater Geraldton mayor has doubled down on his view of the Federal Government’s stance on Australia Day, calling for it take ownership rather than leaving it to local governments to decide. Mayor Jerry Clune made Statewide headlines last year for his opinion on the date debate, calling the Albanese Government “wimps” for not making a stance. Debate over the date continues to divide the nation, with January 26 acknowledged by many people as a day of suffering, particularly for those in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. A year on, Mr Clune said he stood by his comments. “It’s their (the Federal Government) decision, their call,” he said. “If they want to change the day, then they should make the call. “Don’t put the onus back on poor little local government to make that call.” Mr Clune said the city’s stance was to hold events on Australia Day, despite the Federal Government allowing celebrations to be held three days before or after. He said the day meant a lot to people within the community. “It’s like celebrating your birthday not on your birthday; you might have all the popcorn and whistles but it’s not the same as the actual day,” he said. “Everybody in the community gets together on Australia Day.” He said there had been little debate within the council over having celebrations on another day. “People vote with their feet and you get down there on the foreshore on that afternoon of Australia Day and it’s just people out with their family and friends, listening to the entertainment, enjoying the facilities, and then wrap it up into the fireworks in the evening,” he said. “We have no intentions of changing the date at this stage.” Mr Clune said it was also a signal for the end of the school holidays and a change in season. The city’s events have proved popular in the past, with families taking to beaches to mark the day. The City of Greater Geraldton says it will hold “respectful and inclusive” events on January 26. The day’s events kick off in Mullewa, with a free barbecue breakfast followed by the Community Citizen of the Year awards for the town. Also beginning in the morning will be market stalls near Dome, as well as a kids’ beach party at the Champion Bay Surf Lifesaving Club. The Batavia Coast Veteran and Classic Vehicle Club will host its Aussie Icons car show from 8am, while water polo will be held from 9am at the beach in front of Two Foreshore cafe. At 10.30am, the citizenship ceremony will kick off at the QEII centre to welcome Geraldton’s newest Australian citizens. At the same ceremony, Geraldton’s Community Citizen of the Year awards will take place. While the ceremony takes place, Side Show Alley at Stow Gardens will start, with fun to be had for the whole family. Live music will begin at Stow Gardens about 4.30pm and the Europcar fireworks show takes place from 8.30pm.