Subhead:Local council moves to fly only the Australian flag and limit overused Welcome to Country events.#
Federation Council in Corowa, on the NSW/Victorian border, has taken a firm stance on civic representation voting to remove the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags from council chambers and limit Welcome to Country ceremonies, citing concerns over “overuse.”
On 18 November, councillors approved amendments to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols that would see only the Australian flag flown at the Urana and Corowa chambers. Any Welcome to Country ceremony would now require a formal council resolution for approval. The updated protocols are currently open for public exhibition.
Mayor Cheryl Cook defended the decision, saying it strengthens civic unity. “Exclusively flying the Australian national flag in the chamber ensures a clear expression of civic neutrality,” she said.
Cook added that the move reflects the demographics of the council area. “A little over 97 per cent of council’s population do not identify as Indigenous … It’s timely that here today seek a more unified culture for all.”
