City of Rockingham votes to change the date of Australia Day celebrations and citizenship ceremonies

The City of Rockingham could soon move its citizenship ceremonies from January 26 following the latest meeting of the city’s Aboriginal Advisory Group. The motion was first put forward by Cr Craig Buchanan at February’s council meeting and backed by an 11-1 vote before being endorsed by the Aboriginal Advisory Group this month. According to its terms of reference, the AAG membership must have a minimum five people with “a connection to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Rockingham” and a minimum five people “who would like to make a positive contribution to the community”. It aims to advise the city on understanding and demonstrating respect for cultural protocol, provide a first point of contact for the Indigenous community, and represent and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge through events and projects. The AAG’s support of the motion means the city may change its Australia Day citizenship ceremonies and celebrations to the nearest Saturday to January 26, should it be passed by council when it goes to a vote in May. In the event the 26th itself is a Saturday, ceremonies will be held the next day. Cr Buchanan’s motion recognises that Australia Day is an incredibly painful time in history for First Nations people. Australia Day commemorations will still take place within the city. Changes to city celebrations will include citizenship events, fireworks and more. The motion will return to council for an official vote on May 23.