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Reconciliation Victoria strongly encourages councils, organisations, and individuals to reconsider their acknowledgement of this significant date to reflect the diversity of views that surround it. As we approach 26 January, we encourage councils to take the opportunity that 26 January provides to educate their municipality and to establish a strong culture of respect and understanding of our shared history.
Reconciliation Victoria promotes state-wide events that recognise and pay respect to First Peoples culture, country, and history.
These events are family-friendly and encourage unity and respect for First Peoples, culture, and truth-telling about Australia’s history. This list will be regularly updated until Friday 26 January 2024.
Read Reconciliation Victoria's Position Statement and Protocols and Suggestions.
View all Local Government resources on the Maggolee January 26 page.
Date: Friday 26 January
Time: 9:30am - 10:30am
Location: Urquhart Street Courtyard
Coburg Civic Centre - 90 Bell Street, Coburg 3058
Merri Bek City Council invites you to attend their Mourning Ceremony on January 26.
Join the Mayor and Elder Uncle Andrew Gardiner for a moment of reflection and mourning on January 26. This is the time to unite, to journey together in solidarity towards a path of healing and reconciliation.
This event will include a Welcome to Country by Elder Uncle Andrew Gardiner and a Smoking Ceremony by Wurundjeri man Thane Garvey.
Light refreshments will be available at 9 am.
Register here
Date: Friday 26 January
Time: 11:45am - 2pm
Location: Malvern Cricket Ground. 1253 High St, Malvern
City of Stonnington invite all for the 2024 Healing Ceremony. The event will feature:
The ceremony supports Council’s Reconciliation journey and provides an opportunity for the community to learn about what the day means to the Traditional Owners, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people.
Reconciliation Stonnington also will have an information stall at this event, drop by for a yarn and learn about Stonnington's First Nations history.
When: Friday 26 January
Time: 5:45am - 7am
Location: Alfred Square, St Kilda
The fifth annual We-Akon Dilinja event is a gathering that honours respect, remembrance, and revival.
This dawn ceremony is presented by the Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council, in partnership with the City of Port Phillip and supported by the National Australia Day Council.
This moving event, which will also be livestreamed, includes musical performances and a smoking ceremony. No bookings are required.
Share the flyer or event page.
Date: Friday 26 January
Time: 10am - 2pm
Location: Victory Park, 31 Mostyn Street, Castlemaine
Join Mount Alexander Shire Council's Survival Day concert hosted by Dja Dja Wurrung Elder, Uncle Rick Nelson (pictured above).
This free family-friendly event includes aWelcome to Country, citizenship ceremony, and the Shire’s Australia Day Awards.
Date: Friday 26 January
Time: 4pm
Location: Djerring Flemington Hub,
25 Mt Alexander Rd, Flemington
Moonee Valley City Council is hosting an annual Healing Ceremony to respectfully acknowledge the pain and suffering experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
The ceremony will include an Acknowledgement of History by Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder Aunty Dianne Kerr, guest speaker Uncle Charles Pakana and performance by the Nhanbu Togip Dance group.
Share the flyer or event page.
Date: Friday 26 January
Time: 5:30am - 7am
Location: Cosy Corner Beach,The Esplanade, Torquay 3228
Pilk Purriyn is a truth-telling event presented by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with Surf Coast Shire Council.
Everyone is welcome to come together for deep-listening and reflection at sunrise.
The event begins with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony from Wadawurrung Traditional Owners.
Learn more
Date: Friday 26 January
Time: 5:30 - 6:30am Dawn Ceremony (First Peoples only)
Cultural Activities from 9am (Open to all)
Location: Lake Wendoree Ballarat
The 2024 Ballarat Survival Day Dawn Ceremony is the fifth reflection and healing event hosted by the City of Ballarat's Koorie Engagement Action Group (KEAG)Advisory Committee in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members.
The Survival Day Dawn Ceremony is an inclusive event, welcoming all to join in solidarity for truth-telling and healing; and will be followed by free activities.
Date: Thursday 25 January 2024
Time: 4pm
Location: Online via Zoom
Join Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) for an insightful online discussion about Treaty and First Nations Justice in the lead-up to January 26.
This webinar will bring together an all First Nations panel of Treaty experts from widespread nations including Aotearoa (New Zealand), Canada, and across Australia. Listen to unique perspectives as our panellists share their experiences, compare global approaches, and chart the path towards productive Treaty agreements that ensure justice for First Nations communities.
VALS CEO and First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria Treaty Co-Convenor Nerita Waight will moderate the panel discussion.
More speakers to be announced shortly.
Register here.
Date: Friday 26 January
Time: 1pm - 9pm
Location: Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Share the Spirit is a community-based festival that celebrates the survival of First Peoples in Australia and is an important cultural gathering for local and regional communities.
The line up for 2024 has been announced, featuring performances by:
Coloured Stone, No Fixed Address, Blackfire, David Arden, Kutcha Edwards, Deniece Hudson, Stray Blacks, Robbie Bundle, Yambra, Richard Frankland, Brian Morley, Yung Warriors and the Deans of Soul.
Free event, open to all.
Friday 26 January
Time: 11am - 5pm
Location: The Briars, Mount Martha
Join Our Survival Day for a community event that family-friendly and a safe space.
An incredible line up of local artists, experiences, food and market stalls come together to share in the same cause.
26th January is not the date to celebrate. It’s the date to practice culture, and learn history.
Our Survival Day 2024’s theme is: KEEP SURVIVING.
"It’s been a hard year, we aren’t here to sugar-coat it, but we will experience it alongside you."
More information
Purchase tickets.
Time: 9:30am -11am
Location: 10C Pound Road Hastings VIC 3915
Join Willum Warrain for a ‘Change the Date’ gathering.
Open to First Nations people and non-Indigenous supporters.
Come along for a smoking ceremony and yarning circle followed by morning tea.
Time: 62 Morgan St, North Geelong
Location: 62 Morgan St, North Geelong
Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative will be hosting a dawn morning service day to mark the survival of ongoing traditions and cultures, and the strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
This event will begin with a First Peoples space for reflection between 5:30am and 6:30am.
Allies and all community members invited to participate and hear from guest speakers from 6:30am onwards.
Breakfast, coffee/tea provided.
Share the flyer or event page.
Belgrave Survival Day (BSD) is an annual community event that celebrates the survival of First Nations people, their culture and heritage.
Keep up to date via the BSD event page or Burrinja website for further details on the 2024 event.
The Belgrave Survival Day committee are seeking passionate people to get involved in the upcoming 2024 event.
No experience is necessary. People from all walks of life are invited to reach out and express their interest.
No deadline, apply here.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria, and recognise First Peoples continuing connection to lands, waters and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present who carry the memories, traditions, cultures and aspirations of First Peoples, and who forge the path ahead for emerging leaders.
We dedicate ourselves to working respectfully with and guided by First Peoples, and to listen and amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in all areas of work
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