Australia Day move ‘not even being discussed’: mayor

Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan has thrown his weight behind keeping the status quo on Australia Day, saying the city’s celebrations will not change as long as he is in the top job.

Australian Greens leader Richard Di Natale last week pledged the Federal party’s support and resources to Greens councillors if they launched campaigns to shift local government celebrations out of respect for Aboriginal people.

Most of the State’s councils have cemented their intentions to retain January 26 as the official date for celebrations and citizenship ceremonies.

Mr Brennan said Australia Day was an important date in Bunbury’s calendar and no changes were being discussed at a Bunbury City Council level.

“Australia Day to me is about celebrating our wonderful nation, it is a day of celebration, reflection and anticipation,” Mr Brennan said.

He said the date was “absolutely” the right one.

“It will not change while I’m Mayor, it definitely will not change, it’s not even being discussed at council and I don’t ever anticipate it changing,” he said.

The City of Fremantle last year became the first WA council to move its Australia Day celebrations from January 26.

A big crowd is expected to take part in the Bunbury SkyFest Australia Day celebrations in the city on Friday.

An impressive 41 community members will officially become Australians at the Mayor’s Citizenship and Awards Ceremony at the Graham Bricknell Memorial Music Shell.