Darebin Council acknowledges the significance of 26 January with respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and promotes inclusive ways to mark the day.
Tuesday 26 January 2027
Bundoora Park/Plenty Rd, Bundoora VIC 3083, Australia
Free
26 January is recognized by Darebin Council not as a day of celebration but as a day of reflection and respect for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This day marks a complex history and is experienced as a day of sadness and disconnection by many Indigenous Australians.
The Council encourages participation in inclusive activities such as the Share the Spirit Festival in Melbourne’s Treasury Gardens, the Invasion Day Dawn Service, and the Belgrave Survival Day on February 21. These events honor the survival and resilience of First Nations peoples.
Residents are invited to listen to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music specials on local radio, read and share Acknowledgement of Country statements, and engage with educational resources to deepen understanding and respect.
Darebin Council does not hold Australia Day celebrations on 26 January, instead hosting citizenship ceremonies on alternative dates to respect Indigenous perspectives. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags are lowered to half-mast at several council locations as a mark of mourning and recognition.
The Council supports the #changethedate campaign, reflecting community consultation results showing strong support for changing the date of national celebrations to be more inclusive.
This approach aligns with Darebin’s commitment to Aboriginal self-determination, truth-telling, and fostering community wellbeing through respectful acknowledgment of history.
Key locations for recognition activities include Darebin Council’s Municipal Offices in Preston, Darebin Operations Centre in Reservoir, Bundoora Park, Bundoora Homestead Arts Centre, and Narrandjeri Stadium in Thornbury.
Community members are encouraged to participate in events in Melbourne’s Treasury Gardens and Belgrave, as well as engage with online resources and local radio broadcasts.
These locations are accessible to the public and provide opportunities for families to learn and reflect together in a supportive environment.
Discussions and activities around 26 January may be distressing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people or impact social and emotional wellbeing. Support services such as Australian Indigenous Health InfoNet and 13YARN are available.
The Council emphasizes that it is not anti-Australia Day but opposes celebrating national identity on a date that causes pain to Indigenous communities.
Council services including libraries and customer service centers are closed on 26 January as it remains a national public holiday, but rubbish and recycling collections continue as normal.
Most activities and events related to 26 January recognition are free and open to the public. Citizenship ceremonies hosted by the Council require registration and are held on alternative dates around Australia Day.
Information about upcoming citizenship ceremonies and community events can be found on the Darebin Council website.
No fees are associated with participation in the Share the Spirit Festival, Invasion Day events, or other recommended activities.
