The Dubbo Council’s Stupid Australia Day Move

Описание: Dubbo Council, led by its Labor mayor, is under fire for a “stupid move” to hold Australia Day celebrations a day early. The video slams the council’s hypocrisy, asking if the mayor will also celebrate his birthday on a different day. It’s a “war on Australia Day” in regional New South Wales.

This is the beautiful regional city of Dubbo in NSW, a major road and rail freight hub to other parts of the state, and home of the world-renowned Taronga Western Plains Zoo. As a regional centre, you’d expect Dubbo Regional Council to be fairly conservative. There are eleven councillors in total: mostly (six of them) are independents, two are members of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, and three are Labor members, one of which is the mayor. Here’s Deputy Mayor Phillip Toynton of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, and Mayor Josh Black of the Labor Party, who were elected in September 2024. It’s an interesting mix.

Earlier this year on the Council’s Facebook page, they proudly promoted and celebrated Australia Day: “AUSTRALIA DAY IN DUBBO. Come along and recognise Australia Day 2025 with live entertainment, children’s activities, and market stalls… Sunday 26 January.” The even had “FREE pool entry on Sunday 26 January.” It sounds like it would have been a great family day out. What better way to celebrate Australia!

They even had a poetry and photography competition for young people: “As part of our Australia Day celebrations, we are inviting all young people aged 18 years or under to submit a poem or photo… celebrating what’s great in the Dubbo Region,” focusing on “Hometown Pride,” “Community Spirit,” and so on.

Well, fast forward a few months to July this year, and the recently-elected council led by its Labor mayor had a meeting questioning the date of Australia Day. Just to be clear and factual, according to the Australian Government’s Fair Work Ombudsman, 2026 public holidays page, in New South Wales, Monday 26 January is indeed Australia Day. However, even though Australia Day is officially 26 January, it seems the local council have delusions of grandeur, or at least, some of its members do.

According to their website, “Outcomes From the July 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting,” under “Reports from staff,” they write, “PUBLIC CONSULTATION – AUSTRALIA DAY EVENTS – DUBBO AND WELLINGTON: Council will hold the Australia Day Ceremony in Dubbo on Sunday 25 January in Victoria Park in the morning, and in Wellington on Sunday 25 January in Cameron Park in the evening.” It seems the public holiday celebration is going to occur a full 24 hours earlier than the official ticketed date. They refer to this as a “PUBLIC CONSULTATION,” but I wonder, how many members of the public were actually consulted?

Back on the Council’s Facebook page, in a post from 25 July, “HAVE YOUR SAY,” a commenter wrote, “How about letting your rate payers comment on changing the date of Australia Day? Or did you try to sneak that one in?” To which the Council replied, “Hi Tobby, Council has not changed the date of Australia Day. Council determined during the 2025 July Ordinary Meeting that events and activities to recognise Australia Day in Dubbo and Wellington will be held on 25 January.” To recognise Australia Day, they’ll celebrate it the day before? Why not celebrate it on the actual date, 26 January? They continue, “This decision was made by Councillors to balance the needs of the community and provide a range of activities for our community, and we encourage residents to spend Australia Day on 26 January in a way that is meaningful to them.”

What a load of BS! Obviously, they’re pandering to the woke crowd, of which I doubt many live in Dubbo. What’s next, celebrating Christmas on a different day just in case we upset some people who don’t like Christmas?

I just found this picture of Mayor Black celebrating his birthday. I wonder if the good Mayor will also be holding his birthday celebration on a different day, you know, just in case someone in the community finds his actual birthday personally offensive.

The Daily Mail reported, “Council sparks outrage over controversial Australia Day change that 87 per cent of locals are against.” Labor Councillor Pam Wells, an aboriginal activist, was the one who successfully moved the date change amendment.

Independent National Councillor Shibli Chowdhury was one of the sensible councillors who wanted to keep Australia Day on Australia Day, saying he respected the council’s decision, but felt the opinions of the community were being ignored. He said, “The council needs to listen to the community. I cannot change the past. We need to move to the future together and as an elected body we need to listen.”

Anyway, Dubbo council have decided that the official day, Australia Day, should not be celebrated on Australia Day, because, you know, we might offend somebody.

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Allégro by Emmit Fenn