General News
31 May, 2023
Doukas flies insensitive remark
MOYNE Shire councillor Jim Doukas raised eyebrows at last week’s council meeting after referring to members of the LGBTQIA+ community as “hobbits” and said the shire’s support of an internationally recognised day against bigotry was a “time waste”.
MOYNE Shire councillor Jim Doukas raised eyebrows at last week’s council meeting after referring to members of the LGBTQIA+ community as “hobbits” and said the shire’s support of an internationally recognised day against bigotry was a “time waste”.
During general matters phase of the council meeting, where councillors can speak on good news items in the community, Cr Jordan Lockett noted council’s raising of the rainbow flag in support of the
International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).
In addition, Cr Lockett praised Moyne Shire Council and Port Fairy Film Society for hosting a free screening of Australian film ‘The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert’ at the Riordan Theatre as a free event.
Cr Doukas, in response, sought clarification on if the flag had been flown, where it was flown and which flag had been temporarily replaced.
Cr Karen Foster said the Moyne Shire Council flag had been brought down, in line with flag-flying protocols.
Moyne Shire Council chief executive officer Brett Davis said the protocol regarding flying the rainbow flag had been discussed at workshops with councillors, which Cr Doukas disputed.
“I’m sorry, Mr CEO, but I cannot remember coming in to a workshop and being asked if we were going to be replacing the Moyne flag with the hobbit flag – I’m sorry,” he said.
Councillors Lockett, Foster and Gleeson said they did recall the discussion.
“Well, my memory is pretty good and I can tell you; never discussed,” Cr Doukas said.
Cr James Purcell disagreed with the definition of a discussion, saying councillors were told rather than a discussion occurring.
Cr Foster said a consensus had been taken at the workshops, which Cr Doukas also disputed.
“Sorry, don’t believe it,” he said.
“It’s getting out of hand here.”
Cr Doukas sought clarification on the aforementioned free community event, asking if council had paid for the screening.
The question was taken on notice by Mr Davis.
Cr Doukas said he “didn’t have a problem” with the screening, but questioned why more was not done to celebrate volunteers as National Volunteer Week fell during the same week as IDAHOBIT.
He praised a day trip organised for volunteers at the Port Fairy Visitor Information Centre but said more should have been done.
“What about the other volunteers? We’ve got a shire full of volunteers, we couldn’t operate without them – at all,” Cr Doukas said.
“There’s a week every year to celebrate, respect and pay homage to volunteers who do so much for us, Victoria and Australia.
“We’ve got the time to waste on hobbits but you can’t do the volunteers.
“I’d like to register my total disappointment in the shire for the way it conducts things socially.”
Mr Davis said Cr Doukas’ feedback would be taken in to consideration, and a larger volunteer celebration could be explored next year.
“We thank our volunteers and all they do, and their vital support, at most council meetings through general matters,” he said.
Cr Doukas said the shire’s support for volunteers on dates of significance had declined in recent years.
“We would be one of the few that don’t put on a bloody sausage roll and a cup of tea, whatever, for our volunteers,” he said.
“We’re one of the very few councils. And in the past, it was never a problem.”
Cr Lockett condemned Cr Doukas use of the term “hobbits” to describe the LGBTQIA+ community, stating it was offensive.
“I’d like to point out Cr Doukas inappropriate use of the term “hobbits” referring to IDAHOBIT Day,” he said.
Cr Lockett said there was “plenty of time” to recognise volunteers later in the year on International Volunteers Day (December 5).
Despite the phonetic similarity IDAHOBIT is unrelated to hobbits; a fictional race of human-like creatures created by ‘The Lord of the Rings’ author J.R.R Tolkien.
The IDAHOBIT celebration is held each year on May 17 as it marks the day the World Health Organisation (WHO) removed homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases in 1990.
IDAHOBIT was widely celebrated by organisations, businesses and members of the community including CFA, SES, South West Healthcare, Victoria Police, Terang and Mortlake Health Service and Corangamite Shire.
Volunteering Australia, the nation’s peak body for volunteers, also publicly celebrated IDAHOBIT.
“We proudly stand as allies to the LGBTQIA+ community today and every day,” Volunteering Australia posted to social media.
“Volunteering Australia will always advocate for diverse voices and ensuring volunteering is accessible and safe for everyone.”