The City of Greater Geelong is listening to and seeking feedback from across the Greater Geelong community about 26 January – which is currently celebrated as Australia Day.

The first stage of the conversation started with First Nations People and included online surveys, two forums in Corio and Central Geelong, and face-to-face discussions.

Almost half (45 per cent) of First Nations People who participated in the engagement made it clear that the 26 January was far from being a day of celebration and that change was needed.

Twenty-four per cent of First Nations respondents expressed positive feelings towards 26 January. The remaining 30 per cent expressed neutral or mixed feelings or said they feel no engagement or connection with the day.

Today the second stage of the conversation begins with the broader community, and will include an online survey, a pop-up session at the Geelong Show on Friday 14 October, presentations to key groups, and a public forum on Tuesday 25 October at Wurrki Nyal, 137-149 Mercer St, Geelong. Places are limited and registrations will be taken via Eventbrite.

The City will continue taking feedback from First Nations People and the wider community until consultation closes at the end of the year.

A key purpose of the consultation is to understand, respect and acknowledge the experiences and goals of First Nations Peoples while ensuring the wider community’s voice is also heard on the way 26January is marked into the future.

The Australian Government has gazetted 26 January as a national holiday since 1994, and the community engagement by the City of Greater Geelong Council does not propose to change the date.

Holding Citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day is a requirement of the Federal Government and the City will continue to honour this requirement.

To read the report from the first stage of engagement or to share your views, please visit Have You Say.  

The community engagement results will be presented to Council to help guide the City’s future approach to 26 January activities and commemorations. Please note, changes to commemorations are not proposed for 26 January 2023.

Mayor Peter Murrihy  

We received very strong feedback to the first stage of engagement – 173 survey responses – which is the largest we have ever experienced from the First Nations community on any issue.

There are many painful stories of the history of Geelong, from colonisation and the Frontier Wars to the Stolen Generations. There are also many positive stories to be shared. Truth telling and education is important to healing and to be able to move forward together as the whole community of Geelong.

Aboriginal Affairs Portfolio Chair, Councillor Jim Mason

Come along to a forum, have a chat, ask questions, share your views, and help us shape the future directions for 26 January in Greater Geelong.

The truth can be difficult to hear, but through listening to our First Nations People and broader community, and thinking deeply together, I hope we can come to some meaningful conclusions that will assist us in our Reconciliation journey.