You’re invited to the Australia Day – Survival Day community event
Published on 14 January 2025
Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting the community to come together for a free event to celebrate and acknowledge Australia Day – Survival Day.
The event will be held in Castlemaine’s Victory Park from 10.00am, and will include a Welcome to Country by Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Uncle Rick Nelson, a citizenship ceremony and the presentation of local Australia Day Awards.
The event will also include a Survival Day concert, programmed and hosted by Uncle Rick Nelson. The line-up includes performers Uncle Kutcha Edwards and Friends, Mambanegra Drumming, Castlemaine Peace Choir, and more.
Council’s Mayor, Cr Rosie Annear, said that Australia Day – Survival Day is a day of both celebration and recognition.
“For many people, 26 January is a day of mourning and one that brings mixed feelings,” said Mayor Annear.
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.
The renaming of the day recognises how celebrations on this day impact the First Nations community. It is one of the commitments Council has made to support reconciliation, which is outlined in its Reconciliation Plan 2023-2026.
“Council’s Australia Day – Survival Day community event is unique, and one that respects our First Nations community’s right to mourn as well as their right to celebrate survival,” said Mayor Annear.
Last year, Council received a Maggolee Award from Reconciliation Victoria for its Australia Day – Survival Day community event.
Maggolee Awards celebrate and recognise strong partnerships between Victorian local governments and First Nations Peoples, and outstanding contributions to Reconciliation
“We’re so proud to have received an award from Reconciliation Victoria,” said Mayor Annear.
“We’ve been working in collaboration with Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Uncle Rick Nelson on this event since 2018, and it’s fantastic to see the event get the wider recognition it deserves.
“I’m looking forward to seeing our community come together to mark Australia Day – Survival Day.”
Event details
When: Sunday 26 January, 10.00am to 2.30pm (Survival Day concert from 11.30am)
Where: Victory Park, Castlemaine
Cost: Free
What to bring: Picnic blankets, sunscreen, water
The Survival Day concert line-up includes performances by Uncle Kutcha Edwards and Friends, Mambanegra Drumming, Castlemaine Peace Choir, and Nalderun Women’s Cleansing Ceremony.
Free catering will be provided by Konjo Mama, Icecream Republic, Castlemaine Rotary barbecue and more.
There will be two Auslan interpreters at this event.
For more information visit www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/AustraliaDaySurvivalDay.
To watch performances of the 2024 Australia Day – Survival Day event, visit www.youtube.com/MountAlexanderShireCouncil.