Keep the date, focus on the issues: Tracey

Celebrating Australia Day on January 26 continues to be a topic of contention around the nation, but Shire of Broome president Harold Tracey has stood firm that he will not entertain the idea of changing the date of the Kimberley town’s festivities. Mr Tracey said there were far more pressing issues facing indigenous people in the North that shifting community events to a different date would do “absolutely nothing” to address. He listed homelessness, youth suicide, alcohol abuse and domestic violence as key problems Aboriginal people were vulnerable to in the Kimberley and other remote areas of the country. Mr Tracey said it was a shame the day had evolved into an “easy target” that activists used as a tool to “push their own agenda.” “I invite people down in the cities campaigning to change the date for Australia Day to come to the Kimberley and see firsthand the issues our indigenous people are faced with,” he said. “I can assure them that they are much larger than Australia Day and what day community celebrations are held. “It is a day for celebrating the nation in my eyes, a day that should be surrounded by positivity and recognising the contributions that people make to their communities. That is what it is in Broome and that is what I hope it will always be. “I would not be supportive of a day change, however if it was the will of the council then so be it.” The Shire will this year host a citizenship and awards ceremony at Town Beach, which is undergoing a multimillion-dollar transformation. The awards will recognise the outstanding contribution of one individual, youngster and group to the Broome community. Last year’s prize was won by youth worker Michael Haji Ali for his work to improve the mental health and wellbeing of indigenous boys. Jazmin Shipway-Carr took out the under-25 award while Cable Beach Football Club won the group award.