Public Holiday - Australia Day

Australia Day 2023: Thursday 26^th January

After much consideration, the board would like to consult all GGAC employees, come to a position around the Public Holiday: 

In recognition of the potential distress to ATSI peoples in our community Goolum Goolum would prefer not to close on the gazetted public holiday being Thursday 26^th January. This suggestion was not taken lightly and gives recognition to the truth telling of history that is often ignored on this National Day of Celebration. We acknowledge that this does not reflect the views of all ATSI people but it has been put forward as a gesture of goodwill and solidarity from all at Goolum Goolum.

In lieu of this day staff will be able to take another day off that week beginning 23^rd January. (To be negotiated with your manager).

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In relation to the GGAC Board directive not to ‘celebrate’ the gazetted Australia Day holiday scheduled for Thursday 26^th January 2023 we have a requirement to consult all staff and we have developed the following question and assurances:

Our assurances

• No staff will be financially disadvantaged ( we can achieve this by offering an alternative day’s leave).
• All staff will be consulted – (we have spoken to a number of staff but believe a survey will achieve this outcome with the most efficiency)
• All responses to the negative – will result in a one-on-one consultation to resolve the issue by mutual agreement
  
  • As noted in our email dated 20/10/2022 we are happy to consider all reasonable requests and already have some agreements in place based on cultural considerations.

• Responses must be identified so that we can follow up and resolve.