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January 26 in Yarra

In 2017 we decided to change the way we mark January 26 to better acknowledge the history and culture of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

On January 26, we acknowledge the history and culture of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

January 26 is a day of mourning, pain and disconnection for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our community.

For this reason, we decided this was not an appropriate date for us to celebrate our national day.

We hope that as a nation, we can find a day that is inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

We also support the Change the Date campaign, which calls on the Australian Government to change our national celebration to a date that is inclusive of all Australians.

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).

Stay informed

Translated information sheets

You can download information about January 26 and our decision in the following languages:

Frequently asked questions
  • We changed the focus of how we commemorate January 26 to be more inclusive of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
  • January 26 commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet and the planting of the Union Flag on Gadigal Country (in Port Jackson). For the Wurundjeri and many in the broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, this marks the beginning of invasion and dispossession. Celebratory events held on this anniversary intensify the sadness, pain and disconnection experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
  • We believe our national day should be a day that can be celebrated by everyone, including Aboriginal communities.
  • We have a lot to celebrate in this country and we believe our national day should be a day that can be enjoyed by everyone, including Aboriginal communities.
  • We believe we can have a more respectful celebration of this wonderful country, a celebration that is truly inclusive.
  • January 26 remains a public holiday and our customer services centres and libraries will be closed. However, household rubbish and recycling collections will take place as normal. Our leisure centres will also open (but will have amended timetables).
  • We are not seeking to take away the January 26 public holiday. We are simply marking the January 26 public holiday in a more respectful and inclusive way.
  • As a council, we deliver over one hundred services to our community, and these go far beyond roads, rates and rubbish.
  • If we only delivered roads, rates and rubbish services, then we wouldn't have other essential community services like delivered meals for older people, libraries, playgroups, support for people from migrant and non-English speaking backgrounds, and activities to keep young people engaged. All these programs and services are what make for a healthy and resilient community.
  • Since the Local Government Act 1989 (Vic) was passed 30 years ago, the role of local councils has grown to do more for local communities, including “advocating the interests of the local community to other communities and governments".
  • Our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community has told us that January 26 celebrations have a significant negative impact on their health and wellbeing. As a council, we have a legislative responsibility to show leadership and advocate on their behalf.
  • As important as our advocacy work is, we are equally committed to delivering a vast range of everyday services and programs.
  • Australia Day only became a national public holiday celebrated by all states and territories in 1994.
  • Our community is welcome to commemorate the day in any way they choose.
  • As a council, we are shifting the way we think about January 26, and acknowledging and respecting what this date represents for Aboriginal peoples and its significance in the history of our country.
  • Our community is welcome to celebrate on January 26 in any way they choose.
  • We encourage people to reflect on the history of this date, and its effect on our Aboriginal community.