A Merimbula-based Aboriginal woman, Alison Simpson, who provided a powerful statement to council on why councillors should support the Bridge-ing the Gap campaign, said she was absolutely thrilled with the unanimous vote of councillors present (Cr Griff was absent).
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The campaign, already supported by several other NSW councils, seeks to have the Aboriginal flag flown from the Sydney Harbour Bridge every day of the year instead of the 15 occasions each year, such as Australia Day, Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week, on which it is currently flown.
"This is a huge positive step forward. In the 1967 referendum (which resulted in references in the Australian Constitution, which discriminated against Aboriginal people, being removed) 90 per cent of Australia voted for but Bega was against it. This shows the progress and steps forward over time," Ms Simpson said.
Ms Simpson is a Wiradjuri (from central NSW) and Wemba Wemba (from north west VIC) woman, who has lived on the South Coast for 20 years and was the first Aboriginal school captain at Eden Marine High School.
The mayor Kristy McBain said she wanted to see council support the motion to display the petition calling on the NSW Legislative Assembly to authorise flying the Aboriginal flag on the top of Sydney Harbour Bridge every day of the year.
"I am not an Aboriginal person but I think it is incumbent on us to communicate and advocate for all of our shire," Cr McBain said, adding that she has spoken with a number of Aboriginal people on the subject.
"I also contacted a young Aboriginal woman (Alison Simpson) who I went to school with at Eden Marine High School and who puts a lot of things on Facebook which resonate highly with me," Cr McBain said.
Ms Simpson said her first response to the question was to argue "why not?"
"Is there any harm that would be caused by doing it or is it that a few narrow minded people will get their noses put out?" she questioned.
"For so long, as you may be aware, Aboriginal people and society have been significantly and negatively affected by the decisions of government policies. A culture that was once so rich and thriving has, in many cases, dwindled away and many Aboriginal people and communities suffering because of it," Ms Simpson said.
She called on everyone to face up to the past and own it.
"If you are an Australia citizen and you call Australia home, then Aboriginal people are part of your history whether you want them to be or not. It's "our" history, collectively. No it isn't great and people might feel uncomfortable about it, but it is the truth and we need to own it," Ms Simpson said.
She spoke about the inter-generational trauma suffered by Aboriginal people and said that seeing the flag flying would provide all Aboriginal people with a sense of collective pride.
"Being proud of your culture assists in the healing process. I believe that having the flag fly, will not only provide Aboriginal people with a sense of immense pride but it allows conversations to be had. And after a while, it'll be normal - just like gay marriage," Ms Simpson said.
She told Cr McBain that people in power were needed to speak for the Aboriginal people.
"We (as in Aboriginal people) only represent 3 per cent of the entire population. We can't do it alone. We need people like you who are in positions of power to advocate for us, to be our allies, to take risks that may bring you enemies from those who don't agree but may bring you more positive attention from those who do agree. Look at Jacinda Ardern - Amazing leader, took a risk and loved globally," Ms Simpson told Cr McBain.
Council officers received a request from the Bridge-ing the Gap Campaign organisers requesting support for its petition to the NSW Legislative Assembly to have the Aboriginal flag flown from the Sydney Harbour Bridge every day of the year.
An online petition organised by Cheree Tokaby, a 27-year-old Kamilaroi woman, has gathered more than 123,000 signatures in support "for a third flag to fly alongside the Australian and the NSW flags" on the bridge.
As a result of the vote there will be hard copies of the petition displayed at council's libraries, customer service counter and at the Aboriginal Lands Councils. Council agreed that it would also promote the petition through its usual communication channels, and write a letter of support.
To date Inner West, Shellharbour, Bogan Shire, Blue Mountains, and City of Sydney Councils are promoting the petition.
Read Alison Simpson's full comments below:
"My first response to this question is to argue 'why not', is there any harm that would be caused by doing it or is it that a few narrow minded people will get their noses put out?
For so long, as you may be aware, Aboriginal people and society have been significantly and negatively affected by the decisions of government policies. A culture that was once so rich and thriving has, in many cases, dwindled away and many Aboriginal people and communities suffering because of it.
The issues in our communities (D&A abuse, poverty, violence, increased mental health issues, high incarceration rates, high suicide - the list goes on) are symptoms from intergenerational trauma as a result of past government policies. What Aboriginal people need, is to heal from the trauma to eventually eradicate the issues we face. Seeing the flag flying would provide 'ALL' Aboriginal people with a sense of collective pride. Being proud of your culture assists in the healing process.
If you are an Australia citizen and you call Australia home, then Aboriginal people are part of your history whether you want them to be or not. It's "OUR' history, collectively. No it isn't great and people might feel uncomfortable about it, but it is the truth and we need to own it.
Sydney area is the first place to be invaded, what a symbolic way to show the Aboriginal people, especially those living there, that they are valued. I believe that having the flag fly, will not only provide Aboriginal people with a sense of immense pride but it allows conversations to be had. And after a while, it'll be normal - just like gay marriage.
We (as in Aboriginal people) only represent 3 per cent of the entire population. We can't do it alone. We need people like you who are in positions of power to advocate for us, to be our allies, to take risks that may bring you enemies from those who don't agree but may bring you more positive attention from those who do agree. Look at Jacinda Ardern - Amazing leader, took a risk and loved globally."
