For the youth who are still finding their way.
For all to pause, reflect and listen.
On Sunday, January 25, the Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group will host an ally-led gathering, Honouring the Day of Mourning, calling on locals to stand in solidarity with First Nations people and acknowledge the grief and loss that followed the invasion of unceded lands.
Co-convenor Dierdre Robertson said the gathering recognises January 26 as a deeply challenging date for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and their allies.
“We want to acknowledge the possible trauma of that day and the ongoing impact it has,” she said.
“As the sun set on January 25, the world was as it was, but when the sun rose on January 26, the landing of the ships at Sydney Cove was the beginning of a cataclysmic change for all peoples across the continent.
“It wasn’t a gentle taking of land — it was violent and bloody.
“The repercussions of that are still felt today.”
Ms Robertson said advocacy to change the date of Australia Day had been made for decades.
On January 26, 1938, the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet, Aboriginal leaders gathered on Gadigal Land to protest the treatment of First Nations people.
Among them were Yorta Yorta leaders Sir Douglas Nicholls and William Cooper.
The leaders labelled the date a Day of Mourning — a sentiment that continues today, with January 26 referred to by many Aboriginal communities as Survival Day.
In recognition of that history, Honouring the Day of Mourning will take place beside the William Cooper memorial statue in Queen’s Gardens.
All members of the community are welcome.
“We’re asking people to open their hearts — to learn more, to understand more and to hear the real history of the settlement of this country,” Ms Robertson said.
Furthermore, a national petition is calling for the creation of an Australian Long Weekend by moving the Australia Day public holiday to the second-last Monday in January, creating a three-day-long weekend.
The proposal is described as “a small but meaningful shift that offers a practical, unifying alternative — one that reduces harm and respects the lived experiences of First Nations communities”.
“Everyone would still get a long weekend, but it would never fall on the 26th,” Ms Robertson said.
“It gives people the opportunity to choose if they want to celebrate on a day when everyone can celebrate.
“It’s about respect, really.”
Honouring the Day of Mourning is on Sunday, January 26, starting at 6pm, at the William Cooper memorial statue, corner of Nixon and Welsford Sts, Shepparton, Yorta Yorta Country.
Attendees are encouraged to bring water due to the heat forecast and a chair or picnic rug.
28°C