Statement from Dharriwaa Elders Group 30 January 2025. So that the Walgett community is kept informed. Dharriwaa Elders Group ("DEG") was made aware of a social media post by an employee of Walgett Shire Council
on 26 January 2025.
The post contains racist images and words, involving negative stereotypes and prejudicial generalisations about the Aboriginal community.
In a letter to the Walgett Shire Council dated 28 January 2025, DEG outlined the incident of the Facebook post, the impact on the Aboriginal community, the impact on the reputation and perceptions of Walgett Shire Council, the contribution of local Aboriginal communities to Walgett Shire and the resolution to this incident requested by DEG.
DEG's letter concluded by saying:
"This incident is unacceptable. We call on the Walgett Shire Council to demonstrate your values of integrity, courage and accountability to call out and address racism within your Council.
We are requesting that the Council:
• Review and investigate the incident.
• Review the Council’s Social Media Policy and Code of Conduct in relation to this incident and ensure the employee is accountable for their actions
• Consider what further training your staff need to be culturally aware and to understand the history and context of Australia since 1788, particularly the local Walgett context.
• Acknowledge the hurt and the impact of this post on the Aboriginal community in Walgett Shire.
• Meet with the Dharriwaa Elders Group to discuss this incident further."
In an email 29/1/25 sending the signed letter to Council, DEG offered to work with Council on addressing racism in Walgett and said that we would be reporting to the community and our networks on the responses to this incident.
Council responded 29/1/25 that they are aware of and are taking the matter very seriously.
DEG 30/1/25 thanked the Council for its quick response and said "we look forward to receiving your reply to DEG's letter."
Council's media statement on the matter. https://www.walgett.nsw.gov.au/News-Media/Media-Release-by-Walgett-Shire-Council.
Update: DEG received a letter 3/2/25 from the General Manager Walgett Shire Council, Megan Dixon, undertaking that:
"Council has reviewed the incident, but due to workplace privacy laws, we are unable to share specific outcomes. Action has been taken based on recommendations from advisory and legal bodies, and we cannot commit further on the matter involving the staff member.
The Council's policies will undergo further review. While they currently meet our obligations and best practices, we will focus on improving staff awareness of their responsibilities under the code of conduct, particularly regarding social media use.
Council will also be conducting cultural awareness training for all staff, alongside one-one-one support and mentoring for the individual involved."
DEG arranged for a meeting with Megan Dixon held 24 February 2025, and followed up with a letter to her dated 13 March 2025 thanking her for the meeting. In the letter DEG's Speaker Sandra Suey-Thorne requested that the employee concerned meet with the Elders Council and DEG Leadership Team to give a formal apology, with a support person, ending her letter saying "The Elders Council would like to resolve this issue by accepting the employee's apology and letting the community know that this apology has been given and accepted. The Elders Council would like to stand firmly against racism in our community but also move forward and work productively with the Walgett Shire Council in the future".
Megan Dixon replied 25 March 2025 "I am writing to let you know that the employee involved in the racism incident, has resigned from Council. I also would like to share with you that I have resigned from Council." She concluded her email "I would like thank you and the Elders for being so welcoming of me, when I joined the community. You do fabulous work and I wish you well into the future."
DEG awaits evidence of the Council incorporating its learnings from this matter in its future practices.