Kiama councillor Dennis Seage has formally apologised for controversial anti-amalgamation comments made at the town’s Anzac Day dawn service.
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The councillor and RSL member was accused of “hijacking” Kiama’s Anzac Day dawn service, after he reportedly spruiked an anti-council merger message during the memorial.
Outraged residents took to social media in the dozens on Monday morning, saying Cr Seage had “politicised” the solemn occasion.
Kiama Mayor Brian Petschler said he was disappointed comments were made about the proposed council amalgamation at the service.
“Cr Dennis Seage’s comments were made in his position as Kiama-Jamberoo RSL Sub-Branch secretary and were not made as a councillor or on behalf of council,’’ Cr Petschler said in a statement.
At Tuesday evening’s council meeting, Cr Seage addressed the council.
He said his intentions at the service were honourable, and not self-seeking.
“It is not my intention to seek re-election at the next council elections, nor is it my intention to seek re-election as the secretary of the RSL next February,” he said.
Cr Seage said it was vital to maintain the support the RSL currently receives from Kiama council to enable them to honour those who had served.
“I'd like to sincerely apologise to the people who were offended by my comments on Anzac morning at the dawn service,” he said.
“Having said that, I would like to explain that my words were a statement of fact, and not meant to be a political statement as some people believe.
“This council has always given tremendous support to the RSL... When I saw the 3000 or so people banded together as a close community in the early hours of Anzac morning, it saddened me to think this could be lost.
“I had wrestled with my conscience all night, but I made the decision to inform people that we, the RSL, need this council to continue the work we do.
“In hindsight, I admit I chose the wrong time to deliver my message, a message that did not inform people to vote 'no', just turn up and cast your vote, whatever that may be.
“I spoke not as a councillor, but as a secretary of the RSL, whose job it is to ensure that we preserve the continuance of the service we provide to our community in the sacred memory of those who served our country.”
