From the Maitland Mercury report:
Cr Loretta Baker had called on councillors to support her in a rescission motion which recommended that council does not officially take part in commemorations in 2018 for fear it would cause stress to the local Aboriginal community.
Her aim was to quash a motion by Cr Philip Penfold passed two weeks ago which called on council to acknowledge that the bicentenary of European settlement of Maitland marks a significant occasion in the evolution of the city. The motion also said that council take the leading role in commemorating the bicentenary and formally notify Mindaribba Aboriginal Land Council of the decision. Cr Penfold’s motion was carried six votes to seven.
Full article available at Maitland Mercury, 27 Sep 2016.
