When should Kempsey have an Australia Day event?
Consultation has concluded. The Australia Day Committee will make a decision on the timing of the 2024 event later in 2023. If you would like to provide input on this decision, please email engagement@kempsey.nsw.gov.au
How the engagement was carried out
Commencing 26 January, Council launched a survey asking “When should Kempsey have an Australia Day event?”.
Attendees at the 2023 Australia Day Citizenship and Awards Ceremony had the opportunity to fill the survey in on paper or to use the link. The survey has also been promoted on Council’s website, via social media and at two public events at South West Rocks through the Chatterbox.
42 paper surveys were completed. 182 people filled in the survey online.
What you said
- Retaining the current 26 January event is the preferred option, with the evening before the second most preferred.
- The event itself is overwhelmingly popular
- The question of holding the event on 26 January is polarising with 84% holding strong opinions on whether the date would prevent them attending.
- 1 in 3 people indicated they would not attend an event on 26 January.
- 52% of repondees Strongly Disagreed with the sentence “I would not attend an event on 26 January”. Whereas 32% strongly agreed.
- 55% of respondees were over 55. A total of 88% were over 35.
- 13% of respondees identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
What happens next?
Council will undertake targeted engagement with identified stakeholders, including First Nations groups.
The survey responses and other engagement results will inform the decision on the 2024 date, along with other factors including cultural sensitivity, financial impact and resource availability.
The decision on the date of the 2024 event will be made in the second half of this year.
Background
In 2017, the Federal Government mandated that Councils hold a citizenship on 26 January, Australia Day.
Since that time Kempsey Shire Council has held a successful Citizenship and Awards event at the Slim Dusty Centre on the morning of 26 January with an average attendance of 300 people attending. The event consists of a free community breakfast followed by a formal ceremony.
We sought community views on the best date to hold an event to celebrate our awards and new citizens from 2024 onwards.
Why did we ask this?
We sought your view on this important event for a number of reasons, including:
- Council has a strong commitment to reconciliation and strengthening cultural awareness of our local Aboriginal community. We are also aware that the 26 January date evokes strong feelings in many Australians.
- There are additional costs to holding an event on a public holiday.
- We are committed to public participation in Council's decision-making process.
Why are we asking now?
In December 2022, the Federal Government changed the regulations that previously required Councils to hold a citizenship ceremony on 26 January.
Citizenship ceremonies can now take place any day between 23 - 29 January.
The Australia Day Awards Committee will take the community's responses into account when they consider the date of future events in late February.