In Canberra they marked Australia Day with a gong for a champion of women but at Port Stephens it was a naked woman on a stubby holder for more than 20 new Australian citizens.
Port Stephens Council has issued an unreserved apology after its newest citizens, including two young girls, received a "Welcome to Australia" pack that included a beer stubby holder with an Australian flag and a lurid naked lady silhouette straight from the back of a 1970s panel van.
Although the pack was put together by a volunteer committee, the council took full responsibility and deeply regretted the incident, general manager Wayne Wallis said.
"The gift bag containing the stubby holder was in no way part of the official citizenship pack, nor was any gift bag distributed by a member of council staff," Mr Wallis said in a statement after the council was made aware of the welcome pack item on Thursday.
Port Stephens MP and the NSW shadow minister for the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault, Kate Washington, attended the citizenship ceremony on Tuesday but was unaware the welcome pack included the stubby holder until contacted by someone who received one.
Ms Washington, the mother of three young girls, said she was appalled.
"It's exactly this kind of depiction of women that undermines what we are trying to do to reduce domestic violence and improve the way women are treated," Ms Washington said.
"I am mortified that I could be associated in any way with material like that and I'm horrified by the possibility the young girls I met who were part of a family becoming Australian citizens could have received one.
"Somebody has made a decision to include this in a pack representing what it is to be Australian. We are so much better than this."
Ms Washington said it was particularly out of step with Australia Day. given the naming of former army chief David Morrison as 2016 Australian of the Year for his championing of women's equality.
This followed his 2013 speech in which he ordered soldiers who could not commit to respecting women to get out of the Defence Force.
"Our Australian of the Year is a man who is clear about the need for men to stand up and be counted on the issue of respect for women, yet in Port Stephens we have the complete objectification of women on a beer holder being endorsed by our council," Ms Washington said.
Port Stephens councillor Geoff Dingle said the incident was "embarrassing to say the least".
"What a bogan council," he said.
