You’re invited to Australia Day – Survival Day
Published on 16 January 2024
Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting the community to come together for a free, family-friendly event to celebrate Australia Day – Survival Day.
The event will be held at Castlemaine’s Victory Park from 10.00 am, 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 Bart Willoughby, Allara & Olenka, Kinja, and more.
“Council and the Dja Dja Wurrung community have a long history of working together towards reconciliation,” said Mayor Driscoll.
“The Survival Day concert on 26 January is one example of that reconciliation in action.
“Last year’s Survival Day concert was fantastic, with performances from The Rattlers, Darcy Spiller, Yung Warriors, Tjimba Possum Burns and more.
“We had some really positive feedback about the event, and I’m looking forward to being able to do it all again.
“Bart Willoughby is an icon in the music scene, and has played with some incredible bands like No Fixed Address, Goanna, and also The Black Arm Band.
“It’s great to be able to have him perform here in the shire for the Survival Day concert.
“We’ve got more artists that we’ll be announcing soon, so come along to Victory Park on the day and enjoy the concert,” 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.
The renaming of the day recognises how celebrations on this day impact the First Nations community. It is also one of the actions Council is taking towards reconciliation.
Other ways Council will be continuing to work towards reconciliation across the shire are outlined in the recently adopted Reconciliation Action Plan 2023-2026.
“The plan includes tangible actions that we’ll take over the next three years towards reconciliation”, said Mayor Driscoll.
“Some of them are actions we’ve already delivered and will continue to deliver, and some of them are new initiatives.
“One of the actions is our commitment to acknowledge and celebrate NAIDOC Week. Another is our support for the ongoing management and protection of cultural heritage sites.
“We’ll be advocating for the naming of new sites, and the dual naming of significant sites within our shire to include or reinstate traditional language place names.
“Through the plan, we aim to build an inclusive and empowered community where First Nations people can thrive.
“I encourage everyone to have a read through the plan. There are a lot of exciting actions for Council to implement over the next few years,” said Mayor Driscoll.
Community members are encouraged to view the Reconciliation Action Plan at www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/plans-and-strategies.
Event details:
What: Australia Day – Survival Day community event
When: Friday 26 January, 10.00am – 2.00pm
Where: Victory Park – 30 Mostyn Street, Castlemaine
Cost: Free
Music from Bart Willoughby, Ollenka & Allara, Kinja and more to be announced.
Catering by Murnong Mamas, Konjo Mama, Icecream Republic and more.
For more information visit www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/AustraliaDaySurvivalDay.
To watch performances from the 2023 Australia Day – Survival Day concert, visit www.youtube/MountAlexanderShireCouncil.