A Maitland City Council decision to celebrate the city’s bicentenary, despite strong objections from council officers and some civic leaders, could be overturned at tomorrow night’s council meeting.
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Councillors Loretta Baker, Bob Geoghegan and Ben Whiting have lodged a rescission motion to quash Cr Philip Penfold’s plan to celebrate the bicentenary in 2018.
Cr Penfold’s motion was passed by one vote at the September 13 council meeting where the issue was debated at length with councillors Baker and Penfold going head to head during an at times spiteful debate.
Council officers recommended council not officially take part in commemorations for fear it would cause stress to the local Aboriginal community.
In a report, council’s Marketing and Communications manager Rachel MacLucas said the bicentenary of European settlement represents a period of great sadness, distress and tragedy for Aboriginal people and any efforts to celebrate would be seen as a direct affront to their section of our community.
Tomorrow night’s rescission motion reads:
. Council acknowledge that the bicentenary of European settlement of Maitland marks a significant occasion in the evolution of the city.
. Council take the leading role in commemorating the bicentenary of European settlement of Maitland.
. This decision is to be formally notified to Maitland and District Historical Society and Mindaribba Aboriginal Land Council.
. Council convey to Mindaribba Aboriginal Land Council its intention to mark this significant occasion in the evolution of the city including acknowledging the wrongs of the past.
. Mindaribba Aboriginal Land Council be encouraged to participate in bicentenary events.
Should the rescission motion be carried it is councillors Baker, Geoghegan and Whiting’s intention to move the original recommendation of council.
Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council did not return Fairfax Media’s emails or telephone calls for comment.
Cr Penfold said he sees no need to bring the matter forward once again.
“This was resolved only two weeks ago with all councillors present,” he said.
“I am surprised to see local labor and liberal councillors getting together on this.
“These same councillors proudly wave their flag each Australia Day marking the annual celebration of the arrival of Europeans in Australia, yet they think it inappropriate to acknowledge the 200 years of our cultures coming together in Maitland,” he said.
“We are a mature community and can show that we can mark this occasion and show how far we all have come together,” Cr Penfold said.
A poll conducted by Fairfax Media asking if the 2018 bicentenary celebrations should be run by council attracted 214 votes.
A total of 166 people voted “yes”, while 48 voted “no”.
