91������̳

Seven hundred people joined First Nations communities for the Cry for Truth and Justice rally on January 26. It was a day of mourning, with a call to change the date.

Be Tru 2 Uluru, a group of First Nations People and allies committed to the Uluru Statement of the Heart and the Makarrata journey, organised the protest, which was chaired by Julie Saylor Briggs from the Torres Strait.

Community Elder Aunty Wendy Brabham and First Peoples’ Assembly (Treaty) member for Western Victoria Jordan Edwards were among the keynote speakers.

Representatives from Maori First Nations in Aotearoa/New Zealand and Canadian First Peoples gave solidarity greetings, as well as Greens Legislative Council member Sarah Mansfield and representatives from the Muslim and Arab-Australian communities.

Sarah Hathway from the Socialist Alliance, a committee member of Be Tru 2 Uluru and former City of Greater Geelong (CoGG) councillor, wrapped up the rally noting: “Our shared history shows that no right, no justice, no concession is ever handed over by bosses or politicians because we asked nicely for it.”

Hathway urged people to attend the City of Greater Geelong meeting on February 28 to oppose motions seeking to re-institute celebrations on Australia Day.

The First Peoples United Together Djilang passed a motion of no confidence in the CoGG mayor and councillors at its inaugural meeting on January 22. The said it was responding to the CoGG’s decision in December, which reneged on prior unanimous resolutions critical of Australia Day.

In May 2023, CoGG had to stop referring to January 26 as “Australia Day”, reschedule citizenship ceremonies to within three days of that date and commit to the Uluru Statement of the Heart. This came after extensive community consultation with First Nations communities, and only 32% of the broader community opposed the change.

These decisions were all overturned by the new CoGG in December.

It was not a surprise, therefore, that many wanted to attend the CoGG’s January 28 meeting.

But only 100 people were allowed in, enforced by police and security guards. Aunty Wendy Brabham, Briggs and Jordan Edwards attended, alongside a majority who support the demands of the area’s First Nations communities.

Mayor Stretch Kontelj refused to answer questions in the public question and submission time, several of which were about January 26. Councillor Eddie Kontelj then moved a motion to fully re-institute Australia Day celebrations on January 26 next year.

One First Nations attendee shouted: “What are you celebrating? I’m telling you about the pain it’s causing me as an Aboriginal man.”

The room erupted as people voiced their support or opposition for the man. The mayor suspended the meeting and called police to eject the public, as Aunty Wendy staged a sit-in.

When the council reconvened, Councillor Kontelj had the numbers to ram though his Australia Day motion.

The crowd rallied outside, where Briggs thanked everyone for standing with First Nations people. “This is going to be a big journey, you all. We’re going to take one strong step as one strong mob. Because why? Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.”

julie_be_tru_to_u.jpg

Julie Saylor Briggs addressing the January 26 rally. Photo: Be Tru 2 Uluru/Facebook

[Be Tru to Uluru is urging people to  directed to the City of Greater Geelong to implement the recommendations from the January 26 Community Engagement Outcomes report.]