For years, the spread of secularism and “political correctness” has seen city councils steer away from public religious displays that once graced Sydney’s streets in the lead up to Christmas.
It’s now normal to expect nothing more than a store Santa seated under a happy holidays banner like a prop for product promotion.
So, what a surprise, for those walking through Lidcombe, to witness it’s streets adorned with banners wishing all a Merry Christmas and displaying imagery of the Nativity.
These street flag banners, which will be displayed throughout December, are part of a program that cycles through a range of cultural, religious, and civic occasions observed and celebrated by the Cumberland City community.
These include Diwali, Easter, Anzac Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas, Australia Day, Lunar New Year, Ramadan, and NAIDOC Week.
“Before designing these banners, council consulted the community to understand how they would like them to look and feel,” said Cumberland Council Mayor, Ola Hamed.
“The display of these banners is one of many initiatives that council invests in to foster social cohesion, as we believe that diversity and unity are our greatest strengths.”
“The banner program complements the civic and cultural events we hold for the Cumberland community to mark these occasions, allowing us to share with and learn from each other.”
Mayor Hamed said that promoting these events, such as the Christian celebration of Christmas, ensures that the Cumberland Council is living its values of, Welcome, Belong, Succeed.