January 23rd, 2024Open invite to Australia Day – Survival Day
The Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting the wider community to come together for a free family-friendly event to celebrate Australia Day – Survival Day this Friday January 26.
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 others.
“Council and the Dja Dja Wurrung community have a long history of working together towards reconciliation,” said Mayor Matthew 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, the 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 the council says it’s taking towards reconciliation.
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
