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An online petition to fly the Aboriginal flag from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge year-round has won the unanimous support of Eurobodalla Shire councillors.
Eurobodalla Mayor Liz Innes says she was delighted that her fellow councillors voted to support the petition instigated by Kamilaroi woman Cheree Toka on the change.org platform.
Ms Toka writes, “As Australians, we are proud of our Aboriginal heritage and we want to recognise and celebrate this heritage every day.”
“The flags flying from the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge are wonderful symbols of our heritage and identity. However, the Aboriginal flag does not fly permanently atop of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
“The undersigned petitioners, therefore, ask the Legislative Assembly and additional decision makers for a third flag to fly alongside the Australian and the NSW flags – one that acknowledges and celebrates our ancient and authentic Aboriginal culture -the red, black and yellow Aboriginal flag.”
It’s a sentiment supported by Eurobodalla Shire Council.
“In Eurobodalla, we fly the Aboriginal flag alongside the NSW and Australian flags at Council’s administration building every day,” Cr Innes says.
“If we’re on a genuine journey toward reconciliation, then it’s entirely appropriate for the Aboriginal flag to be flown from the iconic harbour bridge every single day, and not only on Australia Day and for NAIDOC and Reconciliation Weeks as is currently the case.”
Clr Innes presented a Mayoral Report in support of the petition at Council’s Ordinary General Meeting on Tuesday with the aim of endorsing and publicising the petition, and calling on the relevant NSW Government ministers to support the permanent display of the Aboriginal flag on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Bega Valley Shire Council is also supporting the campaign. Close to 125,000 people have so far signed the petition, you can too via change.org
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