Yarra City Council acknowledges January 26 as a day of mourning and resilience for the pain and suffering endured by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as a direct consequence of British invasion.  

Mayor of Yarra, Cr Edward Crossland said, "January 26 will always be associated with the British invasion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands. That is what is being commemorated."  

“This date represents a profound moment in our history and it's essential we remember and acknowledge its impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.”

“Recognising the dispossession and suffering associated with January 26 is crucial. Since 2017 we have stood in solidarity, not just in remembrance but also in celebrating the resilience, rich culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Yarra and beyond,” he stated.

Mayor Crossland affirmed the Council's dedication to reconciliation, highlighting the necessity of trust, mutual respect, and a commitment to fostering understanding and recognition.

“We believe it's vital to engage our broader community positively, to celebrate the rich histories and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples” he said.  
The Mayor also sought to highlight the significant roles of the First People’s Assembly and the Yoorrook Justice Commission in Victoria. 

"Through the important work of the First Peoples’ Assembly, there can be tangible progress in realising treaties between First Nations and the Victorian government," he stated. 

"We also support the Yoorrook Justice Commission, as the first formal truth-telling process that will shine light on the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Aboriginal peoples in Victoria and further self-determination for the First Peoples of Victoria."

Yarra City Council will hold a service on January 26 in collaboration with the Yana Ngargna Advisory Group, a partnership between Yarra City Council, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture

Yarra is home to a proud local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, with Fitzroy and Collingwood being the birthplace of the Victorian Aboriginal civil rights movement. A progressive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and culture is still thriving in Yarra today.

To connect with local Aboriginal culture, visit Aboriginal history of Yarra or take the Yalinguth Heritage Walk and audio experience. 

Share the Spirit festival will also be taking place on 26 January at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. The free, community-based event ‘celebrates the survival of First Nations peoples in Australia’ and features music, art, craft and culture. The 2024 theme of the festival is ‘Continuum Into Tomorrow’.

Yarra City Council recognises the strength and resilience of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and reaffirms its commitment to work with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to help advocate for a broader understanding of their experiences and stories of culture, connection to Country and resilience.

The unanimous decision to change the way we mark January 26 was made by Yarra City Council on 15 August 2017 (read the full Council resolution).

Learn more about January 26 in Yarra.