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.

 

[ilox]

Hundreds of thousands? That needs to be verified.

OK, I cannot find the original source for that figure but when we look at the records of massacres and violent interaction with settlers and then add in the exposure to European diseases, we can see how the number could be much more.
Talking about massacres, current information suggests that around 65,000 First Nation people were killed in Queensland. A significant number and we could expect similar numbers in proportion for each state and territory's First Nation populations at the time.
Talking about diseases, "In April 1789, 15 months after the First Fleet arrived to establish a penal colony in New South Wales, a major smallpox epidemic broke out." The effect on the settlers was small. The effect on the First Nation people was estimated to be about 70% died.
"Smallpox spread across the country with the advance of European settlement, bringing with it shocking death rates. The disease affected entire generations of the First Nations populations and survivors were in many cases left without family or community leaders.
...
The spread of smallpox was followed by influenza, measles, tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases. First Nations peoples had no resistance to these diseases, all of which brought widespread death."

Smallpox epidemic

1789: Smallpox breaks out in Sydney

www.nma.gov.au

I would find it hard to suggest that the effect of Europeans on the native people would be anything less than an 'Invasion'.

 

[Knell]

There are great "PERSPECTIVES" of historical proportions written about by some of our very resilient & informed members with their comments.
One would only hope that a great lot of our younger generation would read & comprehend "FACTS".
I have my own ideas on Australia Day, which are all good & anyone who so desires to change what it's all about, then just simply, "P..s OFF" out of our being & existence.

G’day novezar! I have noticed from your posts, your prolific renditions of old style (Aussie?) colloquial sayings, (“as taught by your dear old mother”) and it gives me a good laugh!

Last time I heard those sayings was when visiting my ‘country’ relatives (long past) as a child…I remember cringing, even as a young child. I laughed a lot when I read your - “Wat A Lot Of Tommy Rot" - ah the “Ye olde” British Slang! - haven’t heard it in Donkey’s Years! …good that you are 'trying hard' to do your bit to keep history alive and a reminder of the 'stock' we come from. To that end, it makes me consider that our education may have progressed somewhat. Keep flying your flag, ‘you do you champ’…a good representation of what we have come from (and that some still exist).

The “piss off” is a classic….perhaps taught to you as a ‘youngin’ after a few-too-many coldies under the Coolabah Tree?

 

[novezar]

Hi there, 'Knell',
Thanks a ton on your comment. Much appreciated. I like to pass my thoughts along the track. As you would appreciate, "Good Old Mum's" had a ton of common sense which in many cases, they passed onto their offspring.
At times, I enjoy trying to "Chuck" in a little bit of humour. Short, sweet & to the point.
Yes, the better half wants to buy the "Flag" to fly on 26 Jan, '25.

 

[Knell]

Hi there, 'Knell',
Thanks a ton on your comment. Much appreciated. I like to pass my thoughts along the track. As you would appreciate, "Good Old Mum's" had a ton of common sense which in many cases, they passed onto their offspring.
At times, I enjoy trying to "Chuck" in a little bit of humour. Short, sweet & to the point.
Yes, the better half wants to buy the "Flag" to fly on 26 Jan, '25.

You are welcome! Fly the flag on 26 January - no-one will stop you - that is the point, even if the date were to change...you just do you! However perspectives and choice is everybody's right...minus the" P..s OFF" out of our being & existence".... cheers