Join us to celebrate Australia Day – Survival Day 2024

Published on 04 December 2023

Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting the community to come together this Australia Day – Survival Day for a free, family-friendly event on Friday 26 January.

The event will be held at Castlemaine’s Victory Park from 10.00am to 2.00pm, and will include a Welcome to Country, citizenship ceremony and the presentation of the shire’s Australia Day Awards.

It will also include a Survival Day concert programmed and hosted by Dja Dja Wurrung Elder, Uncle Rick Nelson.

Mount Alexander Shire Council’s Mayor, Cr Matthew Driscoll, said he was looking forward to the upcoming Australia Day – Survival Day community event.

“The day holds so much significance for our community,” said Mayor Driscoll.

“Not only do we welcome new citizens into our community and celebrate the achievements of our Australia Day Award winners, we also acknowledge that January 26 is a day of mourning.

“We’re very lucky to be able to work alongside local Elder, Uncle Rick Nelson, who has programmed a fantastic Survival Day concert from 11.30am. 

“The line-up will offer some incredible performances, and if the feedback from last year’s concert is anything to go by, this will be just as special.

“Last year’s Survival Day concert saw world-class musicians such as Bart Willoughby, Yung Warriors, Tjimba Possum Burns, Darcy Spiller, The Rattlers, and more, and we’re hoping that this year will be even better!.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Uncle Rick Nelson for programming the Survival Day concert component of the day. It’s something that the whole community can come to, and be proud of,” said Mayor Driscoll.

In 2018, under the leadership of Dja Dja Wurrung Elders, Council decided to formally dual name events held on 26 January as Australia Day – Survival Day, to recognise how celebrations on this day impact the First Nations community.

This decision was made to create an event where all community members are represented, included and celebrated – as well as to create a platform for education and healing through truth-telling.

Event details

When: Friday 26 January, 10.00am to 2.00pm
Where: Victory Park, Castlemaine
Cost: Free. Catering included.

Keep an eye on www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/AustraliaDaySurvivalDay for details in the coming weeks for the full line-up of musicians performing in the Survival Day concert.

More information about the event is at: www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/AustraliaDaySurvivalDay.