Australia Day has long been a national pride and celebration, but it's also sparked debate and differing opinions across the country.

In a move that could set a precedent for other councils, the City of Unley in Adelaide is considering a significant change to its Australia Day ceremonies that could ripple affect how the day is celebrated nationwide.

The Unley Council is set to debate a motion that could move its citizenship and Citizen of the Year award ceremonies back to 26 January.

Following a poll, a majority of respondents supported the idea.

This follows the council's earlier decision to move the celebrations to 25 January, which was met with mixed reactions from the community.

Unley Council in Adelaide will debate changing Australia Day ceremonies to 26 January from 25 January. Credit: Shutterstock

The poll, posted on the council's website, saw 842 residents weigh in on the matter, with 60 per cent in favour of reverting to the traditional date.

Councillor Rebekah Rogers has proposed a motion to vote on the poll's findings, and the council is expected to decide on the proposal shortly.

Mayor Michael Hewitson emphasised, ‘We are, as a local government, responsible as a council to our own community in Unley.’

‘We’ve got a whole range of opinions on the council, just as there is across the community as a whole.’

The discussion around the date of Australia Day ceremonies has been influenced by changes made by the Albanese government to the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code in 2022.

These changes allow councils the flexibility to hold their Australia Day ceremonies on 26 January or within three days before or after the date.

This year, the City of Unley held its ceremonies on 25 January.

The debate over the date of Australia Day is a complex and sensitive issue, with some Australians viewing 26 January as a day of invasion and mourning for Indigenous Australians.

Others see it as a day to celebrate the nation's achievements and reflect on its history.

The Unley Council's decision could lead to a broader conversation about how Australia Day is commemorated and whether a more inclusive approach that respects all perspectives can be found.

Key Takeaways

• Unley Council in Adelaide is set to debate reverting its Australia Day ceremonies to 26 January after earlier moving them to 25 January.
• The motion follows a poll where 60 per cent of responding residents supported holding the celebrations on the traditional date.
• The move could represent a significant shift in the local council's approach to Australia Day observances.
• Changes to the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code by the Albanese government permit councils to schedule Australia Day ceremonies within a window around January 26, allowing some flexibility.

How do you view the changes in Australia Day celebrations in your community? What effect might local decisions have on the national discussion? Let us know in the comments below.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Well Unley Council has seen the light. I’m fed up with this so called Aboriginal activists who carry on every year, how much of the genes say they are as Aboringinal? We have so many divisive people on Councils who in their woke mind and agenda do their thing but not what their constituents want, or do we ever get asked? Leave Jan 26 oh and why are we blamed for what was done long time ago, we can’t change history so get over it. Sure it wasn’t a good time but every country has been invaded, sad how people were treated but it’s in the past.

Aboriginal activists are the least of your worries. It's the pasty skinned, redheaded, freckled fruitcakes who stir the pot.

Ever seen those pro Palestinians tossers whose protests cause disruption to the lives of the normal Australian? Blonde and blue eyed without any ethnic connection at all. Just the typical rent-a-crowd mob of unemployed halfwits without a clue!

Same boat....different destination.

 

[Ebby]

A little aside. I walked into the local Reject Shop yesterday to find one whole side of the store devoted to some crappy thing called Halloween. Will Australians spend in excess of $400 million on this rubbish this year?

Such a waste of money and Halloween has a dark side l don't loke.

 

[Simon]

Jan 26th Australia Day (1788) is a Historical Fact and can't be changed. It is HISTORY.
My family and I (5 Children) landed in Australia from The Netherlands on 8-8-1969. That too is a fact.
On 29-10-1974 we swore the "Oath of Allegiance" to become Australian citizens, another fact.
We were Australians like all other Australians under the "Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948-1973.
That included Aboriginal people, all-inclusive supposed to be under ONE LAW. I understood that as a fact.

Things were great then, we were proud to be here and enjoy our lives as it was. And still do.
I loved the song "I Am, You Are, We Are Australians" written by Bruce Woodley/B Newton.
It made me feel good, that I belonged to a community of Australians in this country.
We ditched the Dutch language and spoke English albeit with some accent, we had to for the kids.

We enjoyed Polly Farmer, Kathy Freeman, Gary Abblett Sen., and Junior. All our sportsmen and women.
They are all Australians under "ONE FLAG" making us a proud nation in the Olympics and Paralympics.
Such talent, determination, and grit. So much pride and humility so much Australian.

Forward 55 years (1969-2024) "WHAT HAS HAPPENED" I think I have lost it, perhaps?
16 Grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren later, they too are confused, they are the future.
At 85 most of the happenings in today's society are beyond my control, my voice still counts.
I know we can't go back 55 years but we can keep it simple can't we? Don't complicate things.
An Aussie saying is, "When you are on a good thing stick to it" ARE WE???
I stick to "26th Jan Australia Day" it is a "HISTORICAL FACT" no matter what.

 

[ilox]

...We lost a lot of good, brave Aust. men and women who defended this Country in major conflicts around the world and we layed them to 'rest under that Aust. Flag.' ...

Just to clarify, our men and women officially fought under the Union Jack until the Korean offensive. In the Australian Navy, it wasn't until the Vietnam War that they flew the Australian flag.
Except there was one Aussie flag used in WW1 but that was by General Birdwood in his command, not as a National flag across the war.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-29/australian-first-flag-found-and-restored-in-nsw/8663158
Maybe this explains it a little better: "The Flag Act 1954 finally made the Southern Cross-emblazoned blue ensign, not the Union Jack, the Australian national flag – although many military ensigns and “colours” remained based on the Union Jack for decades afterwards. Duntroon’s “colours”, for instance, only changed in 1973 to be modelled on the current Australian flag."

Anzacs flew the Union Jack but now we need to wave our own flag

When Australian soldiers fought at Gallipoli, they did so under the Union Jack. Our flag has changed since then and debates about national identity have shifted. Is it now time for a new flag?

theconversation.com

PS: Until recent times, the Official Blue Flag was only for Government bodies - State and Federal - to fly. The rest of us were supposed to use the Red Ensigns. Now the Blue Ensign is ubiquitous and flown everywhere by everyone.

 

[Luckyus]

The original day should stay, however If the people want to add a date then I I think it should be the date that Australia rescinded the White Australia Policy!!

 

[gollywog]

Well Unley Council has seen the light. I’m fed up with this so called Aboriginal activists who carry on every year, how much of the genes say they are as Aboringinal? We have so many divisive people on Councils who in their woke mind and agenda do their thing but not what their constituents want, or do we ever get asked? Leave Jan 26 oh and why are we blamed for what was done long time ago, we can’t change history so get over it. Sure it wasn’t a good time but every country has been invaded, sad how people were treated but it’s in the past.

I'm with you summadale, you can't and shouldn't change history and I am so over all of the aboriginal and SORRY people, someone needs to say it!!! No matter what our colour is, we should all be treated the same and live together as one and Albanese isn't helping matters either!!

 

[ilox]

Australia Day wasn't always held on the 26th January though that day has been used more often than not. Here is a discussion on SBS about how Australia Day was not formalised as a National Public Holiday until 1994, though many States had Public Holidays on that day.

Why Australia Day is really held on 26 January

Australia's national day hasn't always been held on 26 January. Here's a brief history of it and the growing campaign to change the date.

www.sbs.com.au

Note also that the First Fleet arrived a week or so earlier, the 26th was when Governor Phillip raised the flag and claimed Australia for England.
For those claiming that it wasn't an Invasion, the shootings of First Nation people began almost immediately on the landing for the settlement. Hundreds of thousands of First Nation people were killed in those early years. Massacres took place all over Australia right up till 1928 in the NT.

Massacres of Aboriginal people carried out 'on an industrial scale', new research says

A pattern of "brutal" reprisals and "genocidal killings" began to emerge in the late 19th and 20th centuries as thousands of Aboriginal people were murdered in colonial times, new research suggests.

www.abc.net.au

Those who claim First Nation opposition to 26 January for Australia Day was a recent beginning, the first rally of First Nation people was in 1938.
This is a difficult problem to resolve because there are so many factors, historical and current, that have brought the date into question.

 

[Greentrees]

The 26th January is Aust. Day, full stop. It is the 'noise-makers' with tin cans and a spoon who go around looking for something to change. It is the same with the Aust. Flag. It is the 'Aust. Flag', for all Australians no matter their colour, race or creed. We lost a lot of good, brave Aust. men and women who defended this Country in major conflicts around the world and we layed them to 'rest under that Aust. Flag.' Some 'change' has been good ie: our own Aust. Anthem, I for one am very proud to hear it played and to see the pride in the faces of our athletes at the Olympics and major sporting events. When Rudd offerred that 'apology in Parliament', it was a long time coming. However, I won't be held accountable for things done well before I was even a 'thought in the groin of a man and woman'. What I had hoped that one of the greatest travesty that relates to the 'stolen generation' in this Country was that the organisation who mostly instigated it and profited from it was the various Religious Organisations. They wanted to 'gather the children', and raise them as 'good white English speaking Christians.' Orphanages were established, administered by the Churches, they hired out the children to the wealthy land-owners as cheap labour and the Church profited from it however, no apology came from them, or the Great Britain Gov. who were 'running this Country. Someone in the Gov. should be trained in the Flag Protocol as there has been some 'serious errors' in the display/positioning of the Aust. Flag when it is being shown with 'other' flags. One of which I had to Google it when it 'suddenly appeared' on display as I had no idea of its 'standing or representation'.

The authorities wanted children with Aboriginal blood to be given an education so that they could make their way in the world. It was that time & that was the thinking. The Churches were given the job of bringing up those children the English way which wasn’t a good way with hindsight. I don’t think the churches made much money out of it & many people gave their lives up to do the best they could. There were plenty of errors in that system we now know with hindsight. The best thing for every child of whatever race or colour is to obtain a modern education so that they can take their place in today’s world. We cannot go back to the past.

 

[Greentrees]

Australia Day wasn't always held on the 26th January though that day has been used more often than not. Here is a discussion on SBS about how Australia Day was not formalised as a National Public Holiday until 1994, though many States had Public Holidays on that day.

Why Australia Day is really held on 26 January

Australia's national day hasn't always been held on 26 January. Here's a brief history of it and the growing campaign to change the date.

www.sbs.com.au

Note also that the First Fleet arrived a week or so earlier, the 26th was when Governor Phillip raised the flag and claimed Australia for England.
For those claiming that it wasn't an Invasion, the shootings of First Nation people began almost immediately on the landing for the settlement. Hundreds of thousands of First Nation people were killed in those early years. Massacres took place all over Australia right up till 1928 in the NT.

Massacres of Aboriginal people carried out 'on an industrial scale', new research says

A pattern of "brutal" reprisals and "genocidal killings" began to emerge in the late 19th and 20th centuries as thousands of Aboriginal people were murdered in colonial times, new research suggests.

www.abc.net.au

Those who claim First Nation opposition to 26 January for Australia Day was a recent beginning, the first rally of First Nation people was in 1938.
This is a difficult problem to resolve because there are so many factors, historical and current, that have brought the date into question.

Hundreds of thousands? That needs to be verified.

 

[Ebby]

A little aside. I walked into the local Reject Shop yesterday to find one whole side of the store devoted to some crappy thing called Halloween. Will Australians spend in excess of $400 million on this rubbish this year?

Just by the way. l was at the opticians in Kingston yesterday when an alert came on for everyone evacuate the arcade it was about half an hour or so before everyone was allowed back.Never found out what had happened.

 

[MariaG]

If we are going to be honest, I reckon there are lots of folk who only view Australia Day as another day off work.
We do not teach our young enough about the history of our nation, nor do we say enough about the reasoning behind having Australia Day in the first place.
Some people walk the streets wearing a flag on their back, budgie smugglers made out of a flag, and accessorise with thongs, sunnies and odd kangaroo or koala accessories draped over themselves or their homes. That is not something I chose to do, however, it is better than no acknowledgement at all.
Speaking for myself, I was born in Australia and do believe it's the best place in the world to live.
My parents came here from Europe as immigrants escaping a society they did not want to live in, or be ruled by.
They were proud as punch the day their received their pieces of paper that officially named them Australians. They worked hard to create a new life and did celebrate their freedom to make their own choices every day of their lives, not just Australia Day.
For me, Australia Day is one of gratitude. My world is what is is today because a young bride and her husband chose the path to this grand land down under. I do not see it as a day of invasion. I see it as a very special place where hard work can reap rewards for anyone.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Just by the way. l was at the opticians in Kingston yesterday when an alert came on for everyone evacuate the arcade it was about half an hour or so before everyone was allowed back.Never found out what had happened.

Is that a suburb of Canberra?

 

[Kman]

And yes, The Adelaide Hills Council sneakily did away with said ceremonies, using Alboshitforbrains changes to the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code in 2022, WITHOUT consulting the constituents. MONEY is the reason. They didnt want to pay for it. There is currently a petition going around to get it reinstated.

Just by the way. l was at the opticians in Kingston yesterday when an alert came on for everyone evacuate the arcade it was about half an hour or so before everyone was allowed back.Never found out what had happened.

Di you know, Halloween is actually an English celebration. Again, the yanks just commercialised it.

 

[Ebby]

Is that a suburb of Canberra?

No Hobart Tas

 

[Veggiepatch]

Di you know, Halloween is actually an English celebration. Again, the yanks just commercialised it.

The idiots celebrate the birthday of someone called Elvis Presley as if he is still alive!

 

[Veggiepatch]

No Hobart Tas

Thank you!

 

[CliffE]

Cape Grim Massacre (10 February 1828)​

From10 February 1828
Cape Grim
To10 February 1828

Details​

The massacre took place just north of the present day Cape Grim, adjacent to two small islands called the Doughboys. It was a result of violence initiated by the Van Diemen's Land Company.

In December 1827, Aborigines were killed while protecting their women from molestation by company shepherds. Aborigines responded by destroying 118 sheep, triggering a company punitive expedition in early February 1828 that killed twelve Aborigines. On 10 February 1828, thirty Aborigines died in the Cape Grim massacre. Shepherds shot Aboriginal hunters on the high ground and then threw their bodies down upon the rocks after firing upon their families camped on the beach. Curr, the responsible Magistrate, disputed the figures, initiated no investigation into the incident, and did not report the matter to Lieutenant-Governor Arthur.
No apology was ever asked for or given yet we always hear about "Invasion Day"
The true invasion day was 6th June 1944 in France.
"Now that's an Invasion Day!"

 

[Knell]

Hope you all pulled out your pennies and purchased the flags, baked bikkies and closed your eyes and thought of England!
Australia Day - 30th July
The first ever official national day that was actually named 'Australia Day'! On July 30 in 1915, the first official Australia Day was held, which was actually to raise funds for the World War I effort.

30 July 1915 was the date agreed upon, and events were held across all of Australia."

Australia Day - 28th July
In 1916, the Australia Day committee that had formed (to organise the war effort fundraising the year before) determined that it would be held on July 28.
(‘Australia's involvement in World War I began almost immediately after Great Britain declared war on Germany. The strong sense of patrioHtism and loyalty to the Mother country led to both Prime Minister Joseph Cook and Opposition Leader Andrew Fisher to agreeing to send troops.’)

The various States have celebrated in different ways on different days previously.

Australia Day - 26th of January
All of the states and territories of Australia were celebrating the national day together by 1935, 83 years ago - although it was still known as Anniversary Day in NSW, and Foundation Day in other areas.

First Nation Peoples have been protesting the date for almost the same amount of time, with the first official 'Day of Mourning' being held by the Australian Natives Association in 1938.

Australia Day officially became a public holiday for all states and territories only 24 years ago, in 1994.

It is a perspective, and a right for everyone to view the date of 26 January as they see it. Everyone can celebrate or morn as they see fit. I cannot understand the objection about that. Does the date actually matter? Clearly it has been a moving date. Are we not happy to celebrate being Australian on any given day? Some remember the date as genocide of their people. How about just let it be - some see glory, some see death. Who knows what the future holds - let us hope our children do not have to experience the same - perhaps we will be invaded - the right of might? Who knows, our future might be celebrating Shabbat, Rosh Hashanah, Bar Mitzvah…and genocide!