Council flies flags for multiculturalism
Wingecarribee Shire Council is inviting residents to celebrate their ethnicity by flying a flag outside of its Moss Vale Civic Centre.
Council’s Strategic and Assets Group Manager Mark Pepping explained the significance of the concept.
“Results from the last census show that almost 7,000 residents from over 50 different nations call the Southern Highlands home,” he said. “From this it was suggested we recognise and celebrate the achievements and diverse multiculturalism of our Shire.”
At Council’s last naturalisation ceremony 22 residents from seven countries became Australian citizens.
“Even though many residents have settled in the Shire and become Australian citizens, we would encourage them to share their cultural backgrounds with the wider community,” Mr Pepping added.
“Council subsequently decided to celebrate this diversity by having a visual display on show outside our Civic Centre.
“We’ve since erected a fourth flag pole beside our existing and permanently flying Australian, Aboriginal and Council flags with the intent that it be used on days of national or cultural significance to our residents who may have been born outside of Australia,” Mr Pepping said.
“Some examples may be Bastille Day for our French residents, Saint Patrick’s Day for our Irish citizens or Fiji Day for our friends across the Pacific.”
International flags will be flown for the duration of the respective occasion only.
Residents wishing to fly a flag commemorating their homeland’s national day of significance must provide the flag to Wingecarribee Shire Council at least 48 hours prior to the respective day.
Flags can be dropped off and subsequently picked up from the front counter of Council’s Civic Centre located on Elizabeth Street, Moss Vale.
Flags must be apolitical and ideally should also be of standard size, measuring 1800 x 900mm.
For more information contact Council on phone 4868 0888.