Have you say on reviewed Flags policy, Rainbow Flag request

Have you say on reviewed Flags policy, Rainbow Flag request

Published on 19 April 2024

Residents are encouraged to have their say on Gannawarra Shire Council’s reviewed Flags policy and Community Flag Schedule, as well as a request to fly the Rainbow Flag on Council-managed community flagpoles annually on IDAHOBIT Day from 2025.

Councillors moved a recommendation at the April 2024 meeting to seek community feedback regarding both matters, with feedback to be accepted up to 5pm Thursday, 16 May.

Adopted in May 2023 following an extensive community engagement period, the Flags policy and accompanying Community Flag Schedule addresses Council’s compliance to the Flags Act 1953 and The Australian flags – part 2: The protocols for the appropriate use and the flying of the flag, which outlines the flying of the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags outside government buildings.

The documents also outline how residents can request to fly flags not listed in the Community Flag Schedule, including appropriate conditions.

Minimal changes are recommended, specifically for changes to how Council receives requests to fly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags at half-mast outside the Kerang Council Building and Cohuna’s Gateway to Gannawarra Visitor Centre.

“As part of the review of both documents, Council officers sought feedback from the Kerang Elders and Emerging Leaders Group regarding the flying of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags outside of Council Buildings,” Mayor Ross Stanton said.

“The Kerang Elders and Emerging Leaders Group recommended that all requests to fly these flags at half-mast be directed to the Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS) for approval, with MDAS to pass on approved requests to Council’s Chief Executive Officer for actioning.”

Council is also seeking residents’ feedback regarding a Northern District Community Health (NDCH) request for the Rainbow Flag to fly on Council-managed community flagpoles on the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex discrimination and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), held annually on 17 May, from 2025 onwards.

IDAHOBIT Day marks the anniversary of the World Health Organization’s removal of homosexuality from the Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, as well as celebrates LGBTIQA+ people globally, and raises awareness for the work still needed to combat discrimination.

“Following a request from the community in 2022, Council proudly flew the Rainbow Flag on Council-managed community flagpoles at Cohuna and Kerang last year, however the timing of this engagement period means this will not occur next month,” Mayor Stanton said.

“Although the Rainbow Flag will not be flown on Council-managed flagpoles this year, we are committed to supporting our LGBTIQA+ community, which is achieved through its Social Inclusion Strategy 2019-2023 and through partnerships and programs within Gannawarra as identified in the Growing Gannawarra – 2021-2025 Council Plan.”

Feedback regarding the reviewed Flags policy, Community Flag Schedule and NDCH’s request for the Rainbow Flag to fly on Council-managed community flagpoles on IDAHOBIT Day from 2025 onwards can be provided in the following ways:

By visiting www.gsc.vic.gov.au/flags and completing an online form. By picking up a Have Your Say form from Council’s Customer Service Centres at Cohuna and Kerang and completing your form by 5pm Thursday, 16 May. By emailing [email protected]. By mailing Gannawarra Shire Council at PO Box 287, Kerang VIC 3579.

“All feedback received will be presented to Councillors to help us determine the community’s views regarding both documents and NDCH’s request, with a decision on all matters to be made at the June 2024 Council Meeting,” Mayor Stanton said.

For more information regarding revised Flags policy, Community Flag Schedule and NDCH’s request, please visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/flags