Wattle Range Council is now flying the Indigenous flag each business day outside the civic offices in Millicent.

It brings council into line with other Millicent locations including schools, the hospital and the KCA Millicent Mill.

A successful motion to change the flag-flying policy came from Mayor Des Noll and was passed by a majority vote at the December monthly council meeting.

At present, there are only two flag poles outside the Millicent civic offices and so the Aboriginal flag has taken the place of the Wattle Range Council flag.

With the exception of NAIDOC Week and Reconciliation Week when the Indigenous flag was displayed, the Wattle Range Council flag had regularly flown alongside the Australian national flag for around 20 years.

The council flag had been an initiative of inaugural Wattle Range Mayor Don Ferguson (now deceased).

Mayor Noll had urged his council to change its flag-flying policy at the November monthly council meeting but the status quo prevailed.

“As Mayor, I am the elected voice for this local government and for all people who live within it,” Mayor Noll told the December monthly council meeting.

“To demonstrate inclusiveness for all, we need to fly the Aboriginal flag daily during business hours.

“The Aboriginal flag has become a symbol of enduring Aboriginal strength, representing Aboriginal people (First Nations People) and their ongoing spiritual connection to the land.”

Letters of support for Mayor Noll’s stance were tabled from Millicent residents Lisa McCourt and Terry and Jenny Bishop and there was a deputation headed by Robyn Campbell, from the Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation in Mount Gambier.

Ms Campbell pointed out the Indigenous flag was widely flown by councils across South Australia.

“The oldest boomerang in Australia is 10,000 years old and it was found near here at the Wyrie Swamp and so there is a significant connection,” Ms Campbell said.

“We have received numerous complaints from the community and request council to fly the flag.”

Councillor Dale Price said the flag flying policy could be considered when the council moved into new offices.

“I have put a lot of thought into this and to some extent we need a new national flag that encompasses everyone,” Cr Price said.

“I have no idea of the design but I think a new national flag that represents modern Australia is perhaps needed.”

After the motion from Mayor Noll was passed, Cr Dean Burrow submitted another.

He moved that council install three additional flag poles at Millicent to fly five flags: the Australian National flag, the South Australian State flag, the Aboriginal National flag, the Torres Strait Islander flag and the Wattle Range Council flag daily during business hours.

His motion was seconded by Mayor Noll but was defeated.