Lithgow Council ‘Calls Out’ Bullying

26 February, 2021

In a Mayoral Minute at the February Council Meeting, the Mayor Ray Thompson delivered a statement condemning bullying and called on Councillors and staff to always condemn and call out bullying as being unacceptable in our community.

In a statement at the February Council Meeting, Mayor Ray Thompson responded to a recent incident in which a member of the community was bullied online and received personal threats to herself and her family.

The Lithgow Mercury posted an article on 26 January 2021 relating to this unfortunate incident. The article was written by a local young person who was coordinating an event intended to present the perspectives of some members of the local aboriginal community in relation to how modern Australia is celebrated on January 26.

It was a very articulate piece about the peaceful intention behind the event, the person’s personal experiences, and the broader historical context. It also detailed that ultimately the event was cancelled due to the abuse and threats received.

The Lithgow Mercury article included screenshots of the messages that were sent to her directly. These messages, and subsequent social media commentary, caused distress and hurt and were clearly intended to bully and intimidate.

In his statement, the Mayor stressed the leadership role that the Council plays in the community and reinforced its commitment to raising awareness and addressing violence, bullying and mental health in the Lithgow community.

Reflecting on this unfortunate recent incident, the Mayor stated that everyone in the community deserves to feel safe and that this can only occur if the community continues to promote and uphold the values of kindness, inclusion and respect for all.