By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Casey councillors have voted for the “return” of Christmas, with an overt display of Christianity to adorn its soon-to-open headquarters at Bunjil Place in December.
At a meeting on Tuesday night, Cr Rosalie Crestani successfully moved for the addition of a life-size nativity scene with Biblical verse from Isaiah 9.6 in Bunjil Place, declaring it was time to put Jesus in his “rightful place”.
“Christmas is returning to all four corners of Casey,” Cr Crestani said.
She noted the community had “rough years” recently, linking security fears, crime rates and terrorist attacks including the alleged murderous incident involving Yacqub Khayre in Brighton the night before.
Backed by “overwhelming community sentiment”, she said the Christmas message of “hope, peace and joy” was no better depicted than by a nativity scene of the birth of Jesus.
Casey Council estimated the cost of the nativity scene at about $50,000, including installation and storage – though Cr Crestani said such displays could be sourced for “100 bucks”.
Among the other features is a bespoke Christmas tree up to eight metres tall in the foyer, at a cost of about $58,000.
Christmas carols and seasonal messages will be projected on indoor and outdoor digital screens in the building.
There will also be extra Christmas banners and flags, plus possibly illuminated decorations, around the municipality on top of the current $76,000 annual cost.
Council staff will also be encouraged to celebrate Christmas throughout all the council’s facilities.
The verse for the nativity scene will read: “For to us a child is born/ To us a son is given/ And the government will be on his shoulders.
“And he will be called/Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God/Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Cr Wayne Smith dissented on the point of adding a nativity scene, saying the additional Christmas tree, digital displays, banners and flags alone had been a “good compromise”.
“We’re not ignoring Christmas,” said Cr Smith – who asserted he was a supporter of “multi-faiths” including Christianity.
“Linking what happened in Brighton to a nativity scene in Bunjil is not fair,” he added.
In support of the nativity scene, Cr Gary Rowe said it was time to honour “our Christian heritage”, “our laws” and to enforce laws to their “fullest extent”.
No governments should go out of their way to “change our fundamental beliefs” and make “us” apologise for being Australians of European Christian backgrounds, Cr Rowe said.
“I can’t stand by any longer seeing us apologise for being who we are.”
