IT WAS interesting to see the avalanche of troll comments and negativity that flowed from an innocent video posted by the Sentinel-Times of the smoking ceremony at the opening of the Ngangga Community Festival at the Berninneit Cultural Centre in Cowes last Sunday.
Many of the 470 messages on the Sentinel-Times’ Facebook page expressed opposition to the smoking ceremony and used it as an opportunity to unload a few racist remarks while they were at it.
The comments are misplaced on a number of counts.
Anyone who went to the festival at Berninneit couldn’t help but be impressed with the array of art, craft and cultural activities for kids on their holidays. Interest for their parents and others and the positive vibe from the organisers.
And people were lined up right down the street to participate in the ceremony.
The other issue that the general community needs to catch up with, like it or not, is the advanced state of Victoria’s treaty negotiations and the extent to which First Peoples’ culture and decision-making is being introduced into everything the government does.
On Wednesday this week, for example, the Bass Coast Shire Council is being asked to endorse the new Statement of Planning Policy coming out of the Distinctive Areas and Landscapes process, which charts the course for growth and development in this area for the next 50 years.
A feature of that document is the role being ascribed to Traditional Owners and the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation in all of council’s decision-making.
Council is being asked to endorse the document, but they have no choice really. Local government has long been an agency of the State Government, and while individual councillors can get up and have their say, they virtually have no control anymore.
The point is this, it’s almost certain now that the Labor Government will be returned to office at the November 2026 election, such is the disarray on the Coalition side, and these changes which embrace our indigenous heritage are coming at a pace.
It’s a case of get involved, get informed or get out of the way.
