“It’s a call to connection, to courage, and to conversation.”

That’s how Councillor Cristie Yager described the second Notice of Motion she put forward during the monthly Ordinary Meeting of Clarence Valley Council (CVC) in Maclean on May 15.

As she addressed concerns recently raised amongst Clarence Valley residents regarding controversial comments made by Councillor Debrah Novak while discussing the Native Title Act of 1993 during an Extraordinary Meeting of CVC on April 11, Cr Yager told her fellow councillors, “we as a governing body recognise there was hurt in the community.”

Fighting back tears, Cr Yager apologised to everyone who has been impacted, adding all she wanted Council to do was say “hey, we stuffed up.”

“We (Council) had things in the Code of Meeting Practice that we could have done,” she said.

“We didn’t take advantage of that at the time, but we’re not giving up, we can’t be silent, we can’t walk away, and we can’t do nothing because that’s just not good enough.”

Cr Yager’s Notice of Motion called for a formal discussion to take place between the community leaders of those impacted and councillors to ensure a transparent exchange of perspectives, with the goal of promoting understanding and healing, can be achieved.

Cr Yager said it is essential Council approach the matter with balance and sensitivity while recognising the community’s concerns and providing an opportunity for all voices to be heard.

She said the discussion will clarify the full context surrounding the issue, encourage respectful dialogue, rebuild relationships, and collaborate on options moving forward.

On reflection, Cr Yager said her Notice of Motion was not meant to be an answer, just a step in the right direction.

“There is so much anger and hurt within the broader community, and that’s not an environment we want to leave behind when we are gone,” she said.

“We must be dedicated to building relationships with others, not building walls.”

“We (Council) are not elected to be right all the time.

“We are elected to act in the best interests of our community, to lead.

“And leadership, by its nature, is uncomfortable.

“It requires us to face hard things, not shy away from them.

“We must be strong enough together to admit when we get it wrong, and to keep trying until we get it right, because the only time things truly fail is when we stop trying.”

Cr Yager said her Notice of Motion is also a call for Clarence Vally residents “to sit across from one another as people who care about our community and it’s future.”

“When we choose unity, we choose something greater than ourselves,” she said.

“And in our shared, imperfect humanity, we are never alone.”

Deputy Mayor Grey Clancy commended Cr Yager for putting forward the Notice of Motion while speaking in favour of it.

“Yes we (Council) did stuff up, but we’re human as you (Cr Yager) said, and in retrospect we could have done more,” he recalled.

The Notice of Motion put forward by Cr Yager was seconded by Councillor Peter Johnstone, that Council:

1. Acknowledges the concerns raised by the community in relation to the meeting held on 11th of April 2025.
2. Acknowledges that councillors can bring to the attention of the Mayor any potential acts of disorder under section 15.11(e) of the Code of Meeting Practice.
3. Affirms its commitment to a community based on safety, teamwork, respect, integrity, value, and engagement as core values of the council.
4. Calls for a formal discussion with First Nations peoples (Yaegl, Bundjalung, and Gumbaynggirr) and Council, to give an opportunity for all parties to express their perspectives and concerns.
5. Encourages a balanced and measured approach to the matter, emphasising the importance of context, intent, and the need for respectful dialogue in addressing sensitive issues.
6. Requests that a report summarising the discussion, including any relevant actions and recommendations for future actions and community engagement, be brought back to council for consideration and made public.

It was carried unanimously.

Cr Novak declared an interest and was not present in the chambers.

• The Clarence Valley Independent also spoke with proud Bundjalung man Avery Brown and proud Yaegl woman Aunty Glenda MacFail, Chairperson of the Yaegl Elders, after Cr Yager’s Notice of Motion was carried unanimously. We will share their comments with our readers in the May 28 edition of our weekly newspaper.

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 21 May 2025.
Related stories: No adjournments as steps taken towards reconnecting through reconciliation, Yet again! Council meeting disrupted, Councillor’s comments create community anger.