Australia Day history

2023 - 1 - 26

Post cover — Image courtesy of "The Conversation AU"

Australia Day hasn't always been on January 26, but it has always ... (The Conversation AU)

Australia Day has not always been celebrated on January 26, and the meaning of the date has been contested historically and today.

If the date of Australia Day was to change, there’s no clear alternative, although some argue that if Australia becomes a republic, that should be the new date. Civic rituals like the Australian of the Year (first awarded in 1960) helped give January 26 a national focus. For all their wisdom, it could be argued the constitution writers did Australia a disservice by having the Commonwealth form on January 1, 1901. But for many First Nations people and their allies, it’s considered “ [Invasion Day](https://www.commonground.org.au/articles/australia-day)” or “Survival Day”. Throughout the 19th century, January 26 was a celebration of Britishness held by people who largely identified as Australian Britons. The 150th anniversary in 1938 was celebrated nationally but also saw First Nations declare the date to be a “ It continued to be held in July for the remainder of the war. January 26 marks the day the British flag was hoisted at Sydney Cove. But some objected to January 26 on the grounds it was focused on New South Wales. [stopped holding citizenship ceremonies](https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-day-citizenship-ceremony-window-widened-ban-overturned/bc76fadf-d39a-443b-ae8d-1b4a119a70cc) on the date. However, even after Federation in 1901, the primary national holiday was not January 26 but “Empire Day”, celebrated on May 24. For others, it’s a painful reminder of the beginning of British colonisation and the dispossession of First Nations.

Australia Day 2023: Celebrations and protests mark January 26 (9News)

After first light, both the Australian flag and Aboriginal Australian flag were raised together on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Kamilaroi woman and artist ...

The dawn projection offers an opportunity for Australia Day to start with a reflective moment that recognises our First People and celebrates our culture as it is shared on the sails of the culturally significant Sydney Opera House." Amplifying Aboriginal voices allows us to show the authentic connection between our First Nations people and the land on which we all live," Parker said. They listened to the harbour, to Mother Earth – we all need to listen." It is important will listen," Sampson said. "It is the third year for the Dawn Reflection, and it is a moment to pause and reflect on our country's First Nations history, and the steps we need to take to become a unified country. "It is important to me to share the Eel Dreaming Story of the Gadigal people of how the waterways of Warrane were formed, and how the Gadigal women used those waterways to fish and feed their people.

Australia Day is an 'important' day: Hollie Hughes (Sky News Australia)

Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes says Australia Day is an "important day" as part of our history and can't be erased. “We can acknowledge what has happened to ...

PM hails diverse country on Australia Day (Education – Australian Associated Press)

The prime minister has met with Indigenous elders for a smoking ceremony as official Australia Day commemorations kick off around the nation.

But support decreases among younger age groups. Invasion Day or Survival Day rallies will be held in all capital cities, providing a visual reminder of opposition to the public holiday. It was followed by a smoking ceremony at Barangaroo, held for the 20th year to celebrate the culture and language of Indigenous people. Deloitte, KPMG, CSL and other large companies have allowed employees to work on Australia Day and take a day of leave at another time as part of their flexible cultural leave arrangements. “Joining our Australian family, joining us as proud citizens of the greatest country on earth and joining us as partners in the ongoing task of making it greater still,” he said. Governor-General David Hurley said Australia had become a country to be proud of since that day, one made stronger by the history, traditions and culture of Indigenous people.

Australia Day worth celebrating, GG says (Shepparton News)

Whether through celebration, commemoration or protest, millions of people across the nation will mark the 235th anniversary of Captain Arthur Phillip landing at ...

But support decreases among younger age groups. Meanwhile, Invasion Day or Survival Day rallies will be held in all capital cities, providing a visual reminder of opposition to the public holiday. It was followed by a smoking ceremony at Barangaroo, held for the 20th year to celebrate the culture and language of Indigenous people. Deloitte, KPMG, CSL and other large companies have allowed employees to work on Australia Day and take a day of leave at another time as part of their flexible cultural leave arrangements. "On Australia Day, we celebrate how fortunate we are to live in the greatest country on earth. Since that day, Australia had become a country to be proud of and one made stronger by the history, traditions and culture of Indigenous people, Governor-General David Hurley said.

When is Australia Day 2023? Meaning behind controversial national ... (iNews)

The annual event marks the arrival of of the First Fleet at Port Jackson in New South Wales in 1788 – but some Australians see it as a symbol of colonialism.

Modern-day celebrations aim to highlight the land’s diversity and history. [ symbol of colonialism](https://inews.co.uk/topic/colonialism?ico=in-line_link), and the impact it had on the indigenous population. The official Australia Day website says: “Australia Day is about acknowledging and celebrating the contribution that every Australian makes to our contemporary and dynamic nation.

'Wide spectrum': opinions divided over Australia Day (Sunshine Coast News)

For a lot of Australians, January 26 is seen as a day of beach cricket and backyard barbeques, and almost half (47 per cent) will celebrate as usual and don't ...

In contrast, just 9 per cent of baby boomers feel this way. Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our free daily news feed. Young Australians are most in favour of changing the date, with 32 per cent of gen Z and 21 per cent of millennials saying they won’t be celebrating and the date should be changed. All it requires is your name and email. But a survey of 1054 respondents by Finder, Australia’s most visited comparison site, revealed almost one in five (18 per cent) won’t be celebrating Australia Day and believe the date should be moved. For a lot of Australians, January 26 is seen as a day of beach cricket and backyard barbeques, and almost half (47 per cent) will celebrate as usual and don’t think the date should be moved.

PM hails diverse country on Australia Day (South Coast Register)

The prime minister has met with Indigenous elders for a smoking ceremony as official Australia Day commemorations kick...

But support decreases among younger age groups. Invasion Day or Survival Day rallies will be held in all capital cities, providing a visual reminder of opposition to the public holiday. It was followed by a smoking ceremony at Barangaroo, held for the 20th year to celebrate the culture and language of Indigenous people. Deloitte, KPMG, CSL and other large companies have allowed employees to work on Australia Day and take a day of leave at another time as part of their flexible cultural leave arrangements. "Joining our Australian family, joining us as proud citizens of the greatest country on earth and joining us as partners in the ongoing task of making it greater still," he said. Governor-General David Hurley said Australia had become a country to be proud of since that day, one made stronger by the history, traditions and culture of Indigenous people.

Senator's solution to Australia Day debate (NEWS.com.au)

An outspoken opponent of an Indigenous Voice to Parliament has called on the government to add a question to this year's referendum to settle the Australia ...

“We need to change our school curriculum. “What seems to be happening is a bunch of woke elites … before we even get hot cross buns in the shops”.

Support grows for changing the date of Australia Day (SBS)

An Essential poll commissioned by The Guardian found 26 per cent of around 1,000 people surveyed were supportive of creating a new date to replace Australia ...

According to the Essential poll, around 8 per cent of those surveyed said they would be working this year, which is only 1 per cent higher than last year. Around 68 per cent planned to celebrate the day in some way. Its poll of 1,000 Australians this year found 62 per cent thought Australia Day should be celebrated on 26 January. Or should we be ashamed of it? A further 26 per cent did not have a view. Overall support has come down since 2019 when it was at 37 per cent.

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