Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting the community to come together this Australia Day – Survival Day for a free, family-friendly event on Thursday January 26.
Held at Castlemaine’s Victory Park from 10am to 2pm, the event will include a Welcome to Country, citizenship ceremony, and the presentation of the Mount Alexander Shire Australia Day Awards.
The event will also include a Survival Day concert – programmed and emceed by Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Uncle Rick Nelson.
“Council and the Dja Dja Wurrung community have a long history of working together towards reconciliation,” Uncle Rick Nelson said.
“Last year’s Survival Day concert saw musicians like D’Arcy Spiller, and Tjima and Natji Possum perform, along with didgeridoo players Jason Kerr and Alvin Briggs,” he said.
“We had some really positive feedback about the gig, and I’m excited that we’re able to do it all again,” the local Elder said.
In 2018, under the leadership of Dja Dja Wurrung Elders, council decided to formally dual name events held on January 26 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.
Mount Alexander Shire Council mayor Cr Rosie Annear said she is really proud of our council for leading the way and dual naming our community event held on January 26.
“It honours our partnership and collaborative history with our Dja Dja Wurrung Elders, and the First Nations Community,” Cr Annear said.
“We all live here together, so let’s celebrate together. Not only Australia Day, but that Aboriginal nations have survived.”
For more information visit www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/AustraliaDay.