Settlement Guide: Australia Day, Invasion Day or Survival Day?

Exploring the different meanings behind January 26 with SBS Indigenous broadcast partner NITV.

Source: Getty Images AsiaPac

The meaning of Australia Day has evolved since its inception in the early nineteenth century. Today many believe the national day of celebrations has greater potential to celebrate and respect Indigenous people and their history.

Australia Day

'Founding Of Australia' -painting by Algernon Talmadge. Captain Arthur Phillip raises flag to declare British possession at Sydney Cove, Australia, 26 Jan 1788 Source: Hulton Archive

It’s Australia’s National day commemorating 26 January 1788, when Captain Arthur Phillip raised the flag of Great Britain and proclaimed a colonial outpost of the British Empire in Port Jackson (now known as Sydney Cove).

National Public Holiday

Source: AAP

It wasn’t until 1994 that the whole country began to celebrate Australia Day on January 26 with a national public holiday. To many, it is a day to spend at community events or at a barbecue with family, friends and a game of backyard cricket.

Citizenship ceremonies

On January 26 citizenship ceremonies are held across the country. 

For most people, the final step in becoming an Australian citizen is making the pledge of commitment.

Read more information on the Department of Immigration website about how the process works.

Invasion Day

People marched throughout the nation on Australia Day 2016, and called for it to be renamed 'Invasion Day' Source: AAP

For some Australians, particularly among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, January 26 is not a day of celebration, but is seen as a day which commemorates the invasion by British settlers of lands already owned.

A day of mourning

Picture: AIATSIS Source: Supplied

In 1938, on the 150^th anniversary celebrations, William Cooper, a member of the Aboriginal Progressive Association, and other activists met and held a 'Day of Mourning and Protest'.

The day involves recognising the history of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including the trauma caused by government policies of assimilation and separation that saw many people removed from their traditional lands and culture.

Indigenous sovereignty

Indigenous Sovereignty Source: NITV

Invasion Day is also seen as an opportunity to assert the sovereignty of Indigenous peoples. Each year, marches are held in cities around Australia protesting the 'celebration' of Australia Day and calling for sovereignty and social justice for Indigenous Australians.

Why Change the Date?

An Australia Day protest on January 26, 2016. Source: AAP

The timing of the celebration is seen as of particular concern as it marks the date of colonisation unlike other countries which celebrate their national day on their day of independence or on another special day.

"Let us find a day on which we can all feel included, in which we can all participate equally, and can celebrate with pride our common Australian identity." -  Lowitja O’Donoghue, Australian of the Year in 1984.

Survival Day

A woman holds the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags during a Survival Day Concert at the Supreme Court Gardens in Perth on January 26, 2015.

For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Australia Day is also an opportunity to recognise the survival of their people and culture.

“Ninety per cent of people are saying Australia Day should be inclusive of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. I firmly believe that someday we will choose a date that is a comprehensive and inclusive date for all Australians.” - Mick Dodson, law professor and Australian of the Year in 2009.

The National Australia Day Council was founded in 1979 and coordinates many of the events that are held including the Australia of the Year Awards.

Read more information here.