Wattle Range Council has again been asked to remove the reference to God from the civic prayer which opens each monthly meeting.
A notice of motion to this effect has been lodged by Councillor Dale Price and is listed for debate for council when it holds its December monthly meeting in Millicent this afternoon.
A similar bid was made almost eight years ago.
It prompted an outcry at the time among Millicent’s religious leaders and inaugural mayoress Helen Ferguson whose late husband Don Ferguson had instituted the civic prayer when Wattle Range Council was formed in 1997.
When put to the council in early 2015, 10 of the 11 councillors and then-Mayor Peter Gandolfi supported the retention of the reference to God.
At last month’s monthly council meeting, Cr Price asked for discussion on the civic prayer to be undertaken at council’s next informal workshop.
This was done a week ago when council also discussed the Beachport Medical Services lease and the unmanned fuel outlet for a portion of Millicent’s Apex Park.
Cr Price publicly released an extensive manifesto ahead of last month’s council election but made no reference to removing God from the civic prayer.
Speaking to The SE Voice, Cr Price said he had expressed disquiet with the wording of the civic prayer at his very first council meeting over 12 years ago.
“My notice of motion is not limiting but broadening,” Cr Price said.
“It still contains the words ‘we pray’ and it leaves it open.
“It is inclusive as councillors can pray to whomever.
“For example, councillors might wish to pray to a Christian God or to Buddha.”
Mayor Des Noll is a regular worshipper at St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Millicent and said he was disappointed with the civic prayer notice of motion.
However, Mayor Noll said he would not make further comment until this afternoon’s meeting.
Millicent Community Church minister and Millicent Christian Churches Association chairman Pastor Shaun Mulick said he could understand the hesitancy of some as the removal of a reference to God would be seen by them as a loss of tradition.
On the other hand, Pastor Shaun said it was up to the Millicent churches to reflect Christian values and not necessarily governments.
He said it was recognised that western civilisation was based on Judaeo Christian values.
“I am not threatened by the possible removal of the Almighty God reference and I will not stamp my feet,” Pastor Shaun said.
“It is good when governments pay lip service to us but we cannot dictate to them.
“We will continue to love and pray for the councillors and their service to the community.”
Meanwhile, in a second motion to this afternoon’s meeting, Cr Price wants the Acknowledgement of Country to be re-worded.
If he succeeds, the statement will become “We acknowledge the Boandik people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet and we pay respect to all Australians who have made and continue to make a positive contribution to our culture and way of life”.
