STRATHBOGIE Shire Council has approved a motion to provide limited funding for 2025 Australia Day events, reigniting discussions about how the day should be marked across the municipality. At last week’s meeting, councillors voted to allocate up to $2000 in funding per community group through an expression of interest process. These funds will support Australia Day events in the shire while council undertakes broader community consultation to inform its policy on January 26 celebrations from 2026 onwards. The decision follows a letter from the Euroa Australia Day Committee requesting the reinstatement of full council support for January 26 events, which was withdrawn in 2023. The motion also included plans to consult with the Taungurung Land and Waters Council, affected community groups, and the broader community to gather input on future celebrations. “This motion does propose extensive consultation during calendar year 2025 to potentially update Strathbogie Shire policy for 2026 and succeeding years," said Councillor Clark Holloway, who moved the motion. "But it also includes concrete action that restores some measure of Strathbogie Shire partnership with community for the upcoming Australia Day 2025 celebrations next month. “This measure would almost immediately go a long way to restoring residents’ faith that their council intends to partner with them, rather than stepping away from community engagement.” Cr Vicki Halsall seconded the motion. Councillor Laura Binks expressed concerns about allocating funds without fully considering the Taungurung Land and Waters Council’s position, which has opposed celebrating January 26 due to its impact on First Nations communities. “This motion deals with one side of the sentiment within the community relating to events held on January 26, but has not given consideration to other views held within our community," she said. "I see it as council making a decision without being fully informed.” She further highlighted the Taungurung Land and Waters Council’s January 26 Statement. “By creating a new funding stream for January 26 celebrations for January 2025, not only is council ignoring the aforementioned request from a key stakeholder on the matter before us, but I argue is additionally pursuing a grant funding model that doesn’t uphold the standards of transparency and financial responsibility when managing public money that is expected of a council in their delivery and execution of good governance practices.” The motion is estimated to cost up to $14,000, which will be addressed during council’s mid-year budget review. Community groups can apply for funding to support events through an expression of interest process, with approvals contingent on financial agreements. While council emphasised that other funding sources, such as federal grants, should be explored first, the motion enables limited shire funding to bridge the gap for the upcoming celebrations. Councillor Gregory Carlson supported the motion, as did Cr Fiona Stevens, both saying it as a starting point for future discussions. The motion passed six in favour and one against, and commits council to review the community’s feedback and develop a revised policy by April 2025. Consultation will include Indigenous education initiatives and reconciliation-focused elements as part of the wider engagement process.
