Melton councillor Ashleigh Vandenberg said she felt her culture was disrespected during Melton’s Sorry Day event.
The accusation comes after Melton council’s Sorry Day event on Monday, May 22, which included a flag raising ceremony, speeches, and a reconciliation walk, and a performance by Mutti Mutti man, Uncle Kutcha Edwards who shared a story and song about his experience as a Stolen Generation survivor.
Cr Vandenberg said she had requested to be recognised as a proud Wiradjuri woman during speeches at council-run events that are of particular significance to the Aboriginal community, and that council staff were aware of this. She said while council chief executive Roslyn Wai used the correct title, mayor Lara Carli did not.
It is not clear whether Cr Carli was aware of Cr Vandenberg’s request to be identified as a proud Wiradjuri Woman at the Sorry Day event.
“Sorry Day is an important day and it recognises the injustices that have happened to my people in the past,” said Cr Vandenberg, whose mother is part of the Stolen Generation.
“I sat there with my son in the library watching Uncle Kutcha … It took me back to what my mum went through and it’s hard, it represents for me the trauma that my mum went through and it’s still happening today.
“You’re not recognising me as an Aboriginal woman, that’s removing my culture, I’m a proud Wiradjuri woman.“
Melton council declined to comment.
Liam McNally
