I realise that Joe Williams has Aboriginal heritage, however not having the dignity to stand for the anthem at an Australia Day ceremony is beyond any acceptable behaviour and does his heritage untold damage in the broader community.

He may object to the date and that is debatable, however refusing to acknowledge our nation’s anthem is unforgivable.

Had the selection committee for citizen of the year in Wagga been aware of his planned politicising of this prestigious event, they should have awarded it to a more deserving person, like Judy Galloway.

At the very least, the selection committee should seek an apology from Joe for his very serious indiscretion.

WAGGA’S citizen of the year award is a very prestigious and important award for our community.

I am disappointed to see the media coverage and comments over the past week.

The Australia Day committee is made up of the mayor, another councillor, members of council’s events team, previous award recipients, Miss Wagga and community princesses, along with ordinary citizens such as myself. 

This is a democratic process where each member votes for their top three nominees in each category. 

The numbers are tallied and the winner is the nominee with the most votes.

Joe Williams was awarded Wagga’s citizen of the year for his work in our community.

As it was with all nominees in all categories, Joe’s nomination was assessed on its merits without thought or discussion of his race or indeed his views on Australia Day.

This is right and proper.

Some may disagree with his stance on the national anthem, but that’s a great thing about our country.

We are all free to express ourselves in any manner we wish, so long as it does not affect others in a negative way.

I had no idea Joe did not stand at the ceremony until it was reported the next day.

He did not cause a scene and it did not take focus away from any other nominee on the night.

It was a personal choice that he undertook himself and he did not try to force others to join him.

It is my opinion that Joe should retain his award simply because it was awarded for the work he has done in the community over many years, not just one day. Joe’s views on the anthem, the flag or the day we celebrate our country, do not change his eligibility to be our citizen of the year.

I encourage everyone who disagrees with Joe’s views, or anyone else’s for that matter, to first try and understand their point of view.

And if you still disagree for whatever reason, please ensure that your comments do not become personal attacks on either that person or their culture and community.

Bigger questions have been raised through all of this. How can we make our community more inclusive for all who live within it? And how do we move forward as a nation to achieve reconciliation? These are discussions we need to be having, and having in a thoughtful and considered manner.

I JUST wonder has Joe Williams now set a precedent for all other young Indigenous students in primary schools?  

Does this now mean that they can now follow suit and tell their teachers that they will now not be standing for the anthem?