Mayor George Greiss has got his wish – Advance Australia Fair will become part of council meetings in Campbelltown from 2024.
His national anthem proposal received widespread support from councillors at last night’s meeting – the final one for this year.
A Labor Party bid to include the playing of Advance Australia Fair in the Dharawal language failed to get up.
“Which was a shame,’’ Labor leader Darcy Lound told the council during debate.
“This is a great notice of motion you have brought to us here tonight,’’ he said.
“But it would have been good to include the Dharawal version too.’’
An amendment was moved by his colleague, veteran councillor Meg Oates, who welcomed having the national anthem played at meetings, but wanted to also pay respect to local Indigenous Australians.
“This is what happens now anyway, that the national anthem is sung in both English and the Indigenous language,’’ Cr Oates said.
When the amendment was put to the vote just the five Labor councillors supported it.
Young Liberal councillor Riley Munro also praised the mayor for the national anthem proposal.
“It’s a fantastic notice of motion,’’ Mr Mayor,’’ he said.
The successful motion will now go on public exhibition and will only be implemented if there are no submissions or objections received from the public.
In other decisions of significance, council gave the green light to plans for a sponsorship program to fund PhD research into major issues affecting Campbelltown.
Cr Oates also lost out on this issue, after unsuccessfully tabling an amendment calling for the expensive scholarship to be only given to Campbelltown residents.
Although to be fair the final wording approved included the words “Campbelltown residents if possible’’, so it was a partial defeat for her.
The proposal was suggested by deputy mayor Masud Khalil, who was initially open to the amendment from Cr Oates, but later in the debate changed his mind.
A report to council said each scholarship could cost upwards of $100,000.
Council would dictate the topic for the research to be undertaken.
The impact of infrastructure deficit on our community or the social and economic costs associated with the lack of job opportunities on our community were two examples outlined in the report tabled at last night’s meeting.
It is anticipated that the scholarship will start as early as practical.
The country refuses to recognise our First Nations people now we are to spend time with this dirge
I agree. This decision is pushback.
A great initiative, one country for one people, no matter where you come from. Learn to love your country, there should be more of it.