A guide to the 2024 Invasion Day events happening near you
WORDS BY ELLY SHINKFIELD
Always was, always will be.
January 26, known to many Australians as Invasion Day or Survival Day, is a date that marks the beginning of the colonisation of First Nations people. It isn’t a day to celebrate – instead, it’s a day that serves as a reminder of the ongoing impacts colonisation has had on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
It’s a day to acknowledge the strength and survival of First Nations people and their culture and history, but more than that it’s a time to come together and demand change.
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This year, around the country, people will be gathering on Invasion Day and in the days preceding and following it to both mourn and look to the future. Below, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the rallies and events you can attend around Australia.
New South Wales
Sunset Cultural Ceremony
The Sunset Cultural Ceremony will take place on January 25 at Burnum Burnum Sanctuary in Woronora from 5pm. Local Aboriginal elders present this event to provide a respectful space for reflection.
Find out more here.
Vigil: The Future
Vigil: The Future will be held on the Stargazer Lawn of Barangaroo Headland on January 25 at 8.30pm. The ceremony includes a performance by the Marliya Choir, a choir of young First Nations people.
Find out more here.
Dawn Reflection
From 5.20am to 5.40am on January 26, The Sydney Opera House will be illuminated with First Nations artwork celebrating and representing their culture, history and people. This dawn service is intended to be a moment of reflection, and an acknowledgment of First Nations people at first light.
Find out more here.
WugulOra Morning Ceremony
The WugulOra Mornign Ceremony will take place at Barangaroo Reserve on January 26 from 7.30am to 8.30am. Guided by First Nations representatives, the ancient smoking ceremony provides inclusion, reflection and reconciliation through music, dance, language, storytelling and ceremony. If you can’t attend this ceremony you can watch it live on National Indigenous Television (NITV) or stream it for free on SBS On Demand from 7.30am on January 26.
Find out more here.
Invasion Day Protest and March
Taking place at 10am on January 26 at Belmore Park, Sydney’s Invasion Day Protest and March will begin with a rally, followed by a march to Victoria Park, Camperdown.
Find out more here.
Invasion Day Bushcare
Hosted at Gilmore Park in West Wollongong from 9am to 11am on January 26, this event invites you to care for country and commemorate Invasion Day by volunteering on Dharawhal land.
Find out more here.
Bermagui Survival Day
The Bermagui Survival Day is a free event taking place January 26 at Dickinson Oval from 11am with performances by the Mudjingaal Yangamba Choir and Gahdu Dreaming band. There will also be cultural activities and food that acknowledge and pay respect to First Nations land and history.
Find out more here.
Yabun Festival
The Yabun Festival’s theme this year is ‘Surviving, Guiding and Thriving’ to commemorate the strength and resilience of First Nations communities. Join in on January 26 from 10am to 6pm at Victoria Park on Broadway.
Find out more here.
Blak Powerhouse
In partnership with We Are Warriors, the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo is once again hosting an after-hours event on January 26 from 5pm. There’ll be performances from a selection of celebrated First Nations artists like Miss Kaninna and Rona, as well as art, food and discussion.
Find out more here.
Australian Capital Territory
Sovereignty Day Rally
Held by the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, this rally and protest march takes place on January 26 at 9.30am at Garema Place to demand justice, land rights, restitution and liberation and bring attention to the 236 years of ‘unfinished business’.
Find out more here.
Victoria
Dawn Service
This year’s Dawn Service commences at 5am on January 26, and will take place at Kings Domain Resting Place on Linlithgow Avenue.
Find out more here.
Day of Mourning Dawn Service
From 5.30am to 7.30am on January 26 at 62 Morgan Street in North Geelong, The Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative is hosting a dawn service to commemorate the Day of Mourning and the strength and resilience of First Nations people, traditions and cultures.
Find out more here.
Pilk Purriyn
Hosted by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Corporation on January 26 from 5.30am to 7am at Cosy Corner Beach in Torquay, Pilk Purriyn is a truth-telling event featuring a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony from traditional owners.
Find out more here.
January 26 Service
This event at the Collingwood Town Hall Reserve runs from 9am to 10am on January 26 and includes a Welcome to Country and a smoking ceremony from the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung traditional owners to commemorate the history, culture and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Find out more here.
Change the Date Gathering
Hosted by the Willum Warrain Aboriginal Association, the Change the Date Gathering takes place on January 26 from 9am to 11am and includes a smoking ceremony, yarning circle and morning tea.
Find out more here.
Invasion Day Rally
Commencing at 10am on January 26 at Parliament House of Victoria, this rally and protest acts as a reminder of the ongoing impacts of colonisation and demands that we abolish Australia Day.
Find out more here.
Mount Alexander Survival Day
Mount Alexander Council is hosting a Survival Day event on January 26 from 10am to 2pm at Victory Park in Castlemaine. There will be a Welcome to Country, citizenship ceremony and the presentation of the Shire’s Australia Day Awards. The event will also include a concert hosted by Dja Dja Wurrung Elder, Uncle Rick Nelson.
Find out more here.
Share the Spirit Festival
Community-based festival Share the Spirit is presented by Songlines Aboriginal Music and will pay respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. It will take place at Sidney Myer Music Bowl on January 26 from 11.30am.
Find out more here.
Survival Day Ceremony, Portland
Starting at 12pm on January 26 at Old Playground in Portland, this Survival Day Ceremony is all about showing solidarity. There will also be food and entertainment on offer.
Find out more here.
Our Survival Day, Mornington Peninsula
Our Survival Day 2024 will take place at The Briars in Mornington Peninsula on January 26. Running from 12pm to 7pm, there’ll be an impressive selection of food and market stalls, local artists and experiences. This event encourages togetherness and provides a place to learn more about First Nations history.
Find out more here.
Survival Day Celebration, Hamilton
This community-led Survival Day Celebration event is taking place from 3pm to 5pm on January 26 at Hamilton Botanic Gardens.
Find out more here.
Northern Territory
Smoking Ceremony
Beginning at 7.45am on January 26, this smoking ceremony will take place at Darwin Waterfront and be performed by Larrakia families.
Find out more here.
Invasion Day Protest
This January 26 Invasion Day Protest will commence at 8.30am at Civic Square Park in Darwin.
Find out more here.
Queensland
Survival Day Ceremony
From 7.15am on January 26, the Benarrawa Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Solidarity Group will be acknowledging and celebrating First Nations peoples with a ceremony near Simpson’s Playground in Graceville.
Find out more here.
Invasion Day Rally
Commencing at Queens Gardens at 9am on January 26, this Invasion Day Rally will march to Musgrave Park.
Find out more here.
Invasion Day 2024 – We Have Survived!
Sunshine Coast First Nations Community Forum is hosting an Invasion Day Rally on January 26, beginning at 10am at Foundation Square and finishing at Cotton Tree Park to stand in solidarity with First Nations people.
Find out more here.
Survival Day Ceremony, Townsville
Taking place from 5.30am to 3pm on January 26 at Strand Park in Townsville this Survival Day Ceremony provides a time to commemorate the survival of First Nations people through storytelling, poetry, dance and more.
Find out more here.
South Australia
Mourning in Morning
Mourning in Morning is a smoking ceremony performed by revered Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna cultural leader Uncle Moogy at Elder Park in Adelaide. Taking place on January 26 at 8am, this event will also include cultural dances and performances by First Nations musicians.
Find out more here.
Survival Day Rally
Commencing at 11am on January 26 at Victoria Square, this Survival Day Rally will feature speakers and performances and provide a space to celebrate First Nations history and culture.
Find out more here.
Western Australia
Day of Mourning Ceremony
This ceremony will be held at Victoria Gardens on Royal Street on January 26 from 9am to 11am to “acknowledge the past and move towards a better future”.
Find out more here.
Boorloo Invasion Day Rally
The Boorloo Invasion Day Rally will take place on January 26. Starting at 12pm at Forest Chase, attendees will march together and demand change. This event also includes a protest and yarning circle hosted by Aboriginal elders.
Find out more here.
Birak Concert
Birak Concert is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture featuring live performances and market stalls, running from 3pm to 7.30pm on January 26 at Supreme Court Gardens.
Find out more here.
Rubibi Survival Day
The Rubibi Survival Day celebration will take place at Goolarri Amphitheatre from 4pm to 11.45pm on January 26 for an evening of commemoration of First Nations people featuring performances from Electric Fields, Barkaa and more.
Find out more here.
Tasmania
Nipaluna Rally and Street March
This rally begins at 11.15am on January 26 at the Tasmania Aboriginal Centre with a march across Lutruwita and ends with a rally at Parliament Lawns at 12pm.
Find out more here.
Limilinaturi March and Rally
This march will commence at Tulaminikali Health Service in Devonport on January 26 at 11.30am and end in Market Square at 12pm with a rally.
Find out more here.
Cygnet Invasion Day Rally
This rally will held on January 26 and begin at 9.30am at Burton’s Reserve, Cygnet to acknowledge and commemorate First Nations people.
Find out more here.
For more on attending First Nations-led events, head here.
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