VICKY Stone-Meadows, 14, does not feel that she was exploited when she agreed to read a speech about flags at the Daylesford Town Hall.
What is more, she feels offended by suggestions that she was used by people opposing the ban on flags other than the Australian flag being flown at the Daylesford Town Hall.
She referred to the letters to the editor in The Advocate over the past weeks, where people have expressed their views that she was "used" to promote views of ChillOut festival representatives.
She said that her Mum asked her if she wanted to read the speech after the march at the council meeting held last month.
"I was offended (by the notion) that I was used as a tool. I don't think anyone should say that about me," she said.
Ms Stone-Meadows said she had input into writing the speech and read it of her "own free will".
Her input included: "Our town hall, whether it is in Daylesford, Trentham, Creswick or Clunes belongs to our community, first and foremost. It is our community space. Your recent decision fails to honour that very important
point. Our town hall represents what our community represents".
She said other parts of the speech were written by ChillOut festival spokesman Jim Cultbertson.
Spokeswoman Della Gogoll said Ms Stone-Meadows took responsibility for the proclamation.
"She got some input from people," she said.
"She started an inquiry herself and gathered information."
Ms Gogoll said Ms Stone-Meadows had her own opinion and she would have talked to people for their input.
She said she was not the sort of girl that would let herself be made into a puppet.
Ms Stone-Meadows, who carried the British flag in the march, said the proclamation wasn't about the rainbow flag.
"I wanted to show that it's not about the gay flag," she said.
"Anyone should be able to advertise anything from the town hall. Anyone should be able to use community space. It's our community and our town hall."
Ms Stone-Meadows said she respected that the Australian flag was flown at the top of the town hall but said community flags should be flown from the balcony.
"People driving through the town can see what's going on," she said.
She said she was thinking more about Small Day Out and not being able to advertise the event where visitors could see it.
The speech
"Good evening. My name is Vicky Stone-Meadows and I am a 14-year-old resident of Daylesford. We are here tonight to appeal to your common sense and to let the voices of our flags be heard.
"The current flag policy passed at the May council meeting is restrictive and does not reflect either the values or interests of our broader community. Further, the policy fails to take advantage of the opportunity for
this council to show its strong support for important festivals and special events that happen right throughout our shire.
"As a 14-year-old I can see with my own eyes the importance of supporting and uniting our unique and diverse community within Hepburn Shire. We respectfully ask you now to open your own eyes.
"Our town hall, whether it is in Daylesford, Trentham, Creswick or Clunes belongs to our community, first and foremost. It is our community space. Your recent decision fails to honour that very important point. Our
town hall represents what our community represents.
"Tonight we ask you to immediately remove the current flag policy and replace it with your commitment to honour, respect and celebrate the many flags - and the many people - of our community and at no place
of less importance than our town halls. From this point forward, we also seek your commitment to meaningful public consultation, whenever public policy is concerned.
"We are a wonderfully unique and very diverse community made up of all kinds of people, from many backgrounds - rich in interests and talents. The flags that fly from our town hall are a celebration of both who we
are and what we value.
"Tonight - please hear our appeal and carefully consider the importance of our community, our town halls and our flags! Thank you.
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