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‘Culturally aware’ Fremantle axes Australia Day celebrations

The fireworks at Bathers Beach, Fremantle, in 2015.

The fireworks at Bathers Beach, Fremantle, in 2015. Photo: AAP

Fremantle council has decided to push back its traditional Australia Day activities two days to 28 January because of cultural sensitivities.

“We thought it was time to acknowledge it wasn’t a day of celebration for everybody and it was an opportunity for us to come up with a different format on a different day that could be truly inclusive,” Fremantle mayor Brad Pettitt told the West Australian.

Some Australians, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, do not regard January 26 as a day of celebration, but rather as an anniversary of the continent’s invasion by British settlers.

Mr Pettitt said the council had heard “loud and clear” from local Aboriginal elders that January 26 was not an appropriate day for celebrations.

But former West Australian of the Year Robert Isaacs told the west Australian he had not heard of any complaints from his Aboriginal community.

“It’s not in line with community attitudes,” he said. “I strongly condemn them for this whole thing … Australia Day is Australia Day.”

In August the council announced it would cancel its traditional fireworks display on 26 January, opting instead for a “culturally inclusive” event on the Esplanade Reserve, featuring artists John Butler, Dan Sultan and Mama Kin.

The council will also shift its citizenship ceremonies to the One Day in Fremantle event on January 28.

Mr Pettitt said the council had been surprised by the backlash against the decision, and also suggested others were free to mark Australia Day as they saw fit

“We were never trying to say to people they couldn’t do anything or shouldn’t do anything on Australia Day,” Mr Pettitt said.

“That’s for other people to judge. We’re simply offering what I think is a really good alternative.”

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