Glenelg Shire community members are being asked to have their say on the future of council-led civic events, ceremonies and awards on January 26 as part of a new consultation topic.

Following endorsement at the June council meeting, councillors unanimously voted to seek community input on the future of the council’s involvement in leading Australia Day ceremonies, awards and civic events on January 26, 2024 and beyond.

With recent changes to the Citizenship Code Local Governments now has flexibility in when and how they deliver various components of January 26 events.

Glenelg Shire Mayor Cr Scott Martin said as a result of these changes, councillors were reaching out to the community to help guide the future of the Australia Day Awards program, Australia Day civic events in Portland and Casterton, and citizenship ceremonies held on January 26.

“Each year people in Australia recognise 26 January as a national holiday.

“However, this day of celebration is not embraced by all Australians and more broadly is seeing reduced engagement in our civic events, awards and ceremonies,” he said.

“Furthermore, when undertaking widespread community consultation to develop the Glenelg Shire Community 2040 Plan, two key themes were identified.

“These themes were that our community wanted to see more ‘recognition and honouring of Aboriginal culture’ and ‘initiatives that support the engagement and inclusion of Aboriginal people’.

“Based on this feedback, and changes to The Citizenship Code, we now have an opportunity to reach out to the community and seek their input on the future of our civic events, ceremonies and awards on January 26, 2024, and beyond.”

Community members can provide their feedback by completing a short survey through council’s YourSay Glenelg website.

Hard copy surveys will also be available at council’s customer service centres and Glenelg Libraries branches.

Feedback closes on July 23.