In the heart of Australian culture, local pubs are more than just a place to grab a pint—they are a community hub where mates gather for celebrations and national events.

So, when Australian Venue Co announced it would be cancelling Australia Day celebrations at over 200 venues, it stirred strong feelings.

The initial decision to cancel the celebrations saw a wave of backlash, which prompted the company to issue an apology and clarify its stance.

In a statement released on Monday, Australian Venue Co expressed regret over the confusion caused by their earlier decision.

'We can see that our comments on the weekend have caused both concern and confusion. We sincerely regret that—our purpose is to reinforce community in our venues, not divide it,' the statement wrote.

'It is not for us to tell anyone whether or how to celebrate Australia Day. We acknowledge that, and we apologise for our comments. It certainly wasn't our intention to offend anyone.'

The country observes Australia Day every 26th of January, which is just a few weeks away. Image Credit: Pexels/Mike Tidd

Australia Day, observed every 26 January, is a national holiday that marks the arrival of the First Fleet at Port Jackson in New South Wales in 1788.

However, the day also represented a time of mourning for Indigenous Australians.

They regard the same day as 'Invasion Day', which led to dispossession and trauma for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The pub group's initial decision was to acknowledge the emotions that Australia Day could evoke for some community members.

However, others viewed the cancellation as an erasure of tradition, which led to the outcry.

Australian Venue Co, owned by Asian Private Equity Group PAG, welcomes 15 million patrons annually to their venues.

The company's spokesperson stated that they will be open to patrons celebrating the day as they see fit.

'Whether you choose to celebrate Australia Day or not, everyone is welcome in our pubs, always,' an Australian Venue Co spokesperson shared.

'We have been, and are always, open over Australia Day, and we continue to book events for patrons.'

The controversy surrounding Australian Venue Co's Australia Day celebrations is not an isolated incident.

Last January, Woolworths faced a similar storm after announcing it would no longer stock any Australia Day merchandise in its stores.

These instances highlighted the ongoing conversation about the meaning and observance of Australia Day.

As we approach 26 January, it's important to remember that Australia is a tapestry woven from many different threads.

The essence of the day is about acknowledging our shared history and looking towards a future that embraces all Australians.

Key Takeaways

• Australian Venue Co issued an apology after receiving backlash over its decision to cancel Australia Day celebrations at its venues.
• The company clarified that it is not their place to dictate how or whether people should celebrate Australia Day.
• Australian Venue Co confirmed that all their pubs would remain open on 26 January and patrons are free to book events for the day.
• The controversy followed last year's incident with Woolworths regarding their Australia Day-specific merchandise.

What do you think of Australian Venue Co's decision? How do you feel about the way Australia Day is celebrated? Please share your thoughts with us, and let us have a respectful and reflective discussion in the comments section below.

 

[Kman]

1. Boycott ALL Venue Co pubs.
2. Indigenous shold blame the English for the so called invasion. Not those who were born in this country.
3. Boycott Woolworthless.

 

[GoodEnough]

The people who go to the pub on Australia Day are not likely to be classy customers.

 

[GoodEnough]

1. Boycott ALL Venue Co pubs.
2. Indigenous shold blame the English for the so called invasion. Not those who were born in this country.
3. Boycott Woolworthless.

Blaming isn't the issue. It's expecting victims if the British colonisation to celebrate on the date it began.

 

[Lillie]

Boycot any and all venues who do not recognise Australia Day. I AM FORTH GENERATION AUSTRALIAN and have 3 Australian born sons and 1 Daughter, who have between them 4 sons and 6 daughters, who have between them have 3 sons and 5 daughters. All who are proud Australians we all celebrate Australia Day on the day. I also turn my back on welcome to country ceremonies I don't need to be welcomed to my own country.

 

[Jest]

keep up sdc. this was reversed the next day.

 

[midgemills]

Simple. Change the date. We can all celebrate Australia day in our own way without offending anyone.

 

[June E]

1. Boycott ALL Venue Co pubs.
2. Indigenous shold blame the English for the so called invasion. Not those who were born in this country.
3. Boycott Woolworthless.

Do you think you are more Australian than I am because you were born here, and I emigrated from England 56 years ago ? I had my 21 birthday in Australia, so have lived here and been an Australian citizen for a lot longer than I was in England. I and thousands of other Aussies, whether born here or emigrated here had nothing to do with the so called invasion. It was soooo long ago why is it still referred to as such ?

 

[Kman]

You tell me why it's still referred to as an invasion. Yes it was over 200 years ago. You try and explain it to those "indigenous".

But as I say, if it wasn't for colonisation, 95% of those "indigenous", wouldn't be here today.

The British, Dutch, French, Spanish, and whatever orher country thar has done it, are all responsible for 'invasions'.

This is one of many definitions:
an occasion when a large number of people or things come to a place in an annoying and unwanted way

an act or instance of invading or entering as an enemy, especially by an army.

 

[Littleboy8]

The people who go to the pub on Australia Day are not likely to be classy customers.

Wow really what a strange thing to say

 

[Jest]

The people who go to the pub on Australia Day are not likely to be classy customers.

the half naked ones go to the beach. what a dumb thing to say. show some class.

 

[Knell]

You tell me why it's still referred to as an invasion. Yes it was over 200 years ago. You try and explain it to those "indigenous".

But as I say, if it wasn't for colonisation, 95% of those "indigenous", wouldn't be here today.

The British, Dutch, French, Spanish, and whatever orher country thar has done it, are all responsible for 'invasions'.

This is one of many definitions:
an occasion when a large number of people or things come to a place in an annoying and unwanted way

an act or instance of invading or entering as an enemy, especially by an army.

Clever one you are Kman!
If not invasion - what do you think it should be called? I would go with genocide.

Kman: (“But as I say, if it wasn't for colonisation, 95% of those "indigenous", wouldn't be here today.”)

Hmmm you don’t say? Oddly specific - you know this how?
Ummm…5% of 1.5m = 75,000

{Because of colonial genocidal actions like state-sanctioned massacres, the First Nations population went from an estimated 1-1.5 million before invasion to less than 100,000 by the early 1900s|}. (Australian Museum)

Clearly, Germany had learned a good few tips about genociding, long before Adolph Hitler adopted the “Final Solution” against the Jews and Roma, in 1941.

Kman: "So..if not us someone else would have done it?"

Ah yes, that makes it better - all fixed and forgotten!

 

[Jest]

Clever one you are Kman!
If not invasion - what do you think it should be called? I would go with genocide.

Kman: (“But as I say, if it wasn't for colonisation, 95% of those "indigenous", wouldn't be here today.”)

Hmmm you don’t say? Oddly specific - you know this how?
Ummm…5% of 1.5m = 75,000

{Because of colonial genocidal actions like state-sanctioned massacres, the First Nations population went from an estimated 1-1.5 million before invasion to less than 100,000 by the early 1900s|}. (Australian Museum)

Clearly, Germany had learned a good few tips about genociding, long before Adolph Hitler adopted the “Final Solution” against the Jews and Roma, in 1941.

Kman: "So..if not us someone else would have done it?"

Ah yes, that makes it better - all fixed and forgotten!

they, the early settlers DID NOT INVADE. NO ONE INVADED IN AUSTRALIA. WE DO HAVE SOME HERE THAT NEED TO BE SHIPPED OUT.