Venues across Australia spark debate by opting out of Australia Day celebrations
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In a significant move ahead of Australia Day, several clubs and pubs across the country have announced bans on festivities, including popular venues.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions, with many questioning the implications for traditional celebrations, while others support the push for more inclusive events.
As Australia Day approaches, the conversation surrounding how the occasion is observed continues to gain momentum.
Australia Day, a national holiday marked on January 26th, has long been a day of celebration for many Australians.
It commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Port Jackson in New South Wales in 1788 and the raising of the British flag at Sydney Cove by Governor Arthur Phillip.
However, this date also represents a time of mourning for Indigenous Australians, who see it as ‘Invasion Day’—a day that signifies the beginning of the dispossession and subsequent oppression of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
In a move that reflects the growing debate around the significance of Australia Day, Australian Venue Co, the country's second-largest hospitality group, has decided to forgo celebrations across its venues nationwide.
It operates over 200 venues across Australia, including around 90 in Queensland and 60 in Victoria.
The company stated that January 26 brings ‘sadness’ and ‘hurt’ to many of its patrons and staff.
This includes venues such as Bungalow8, Cargo, Kingsley's Woolloomooloo, and Parkside Hotel in Sydney, as well as the Esplanade Hotel, Prince of Wales, Duke of Wellington, and Garden State Hotel in Melbourne.
In addition, the Claremont Hotel and Bassendean Hotels in Perth, the Regatta Hotel, Boundary Hotel, and Fridays bar in Brisbane, along with the Parkside Hotel and Colonist in Adelaide, will also not be hosting celebrations.
‘Australia Day is a day that causes sadness for some members of our community, so we have decided not to specifically celebrate a day that causes hurt for some of our patrons and our team,’ an Australia Venues Co spokesperson stated.
Indigenous activist Warren Mundine offered some bold advice for those planning to celebrate on January 26.
‘Don't bother about having a drink in their venues, p*** these b******* off,’ he said after learning of the boycott.
Mr Mundine, who spearheaded the successful campaign against the Indigenous Voice to Parliament last year, claimed that the true reason ‘woke companies’ refuse to celebrate Australia Day is because ‘they just hate the country’.
‘They hate Australians, they hate Australia, and that's why they do these things,’ he remarked.
Mr Mundine encouraged Australians to celebrate by heading to the beach, throwing some lamb and sausages on the barbecue, or ordering takeaway from a venue ‘that actually cares about this country—not a hater of Australians—and we'll have a great time’.
Wurundjeri elder Ian Hunter added, ‘It is condescending. They think we are doing the best thing for Indigenous peoples.’
Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett called the decision ‘extraordinary’ and ‘divisive’.
‘They are totally out of touch with the community,’ he stated.
‘If no one wants to participate in Australia Day celebrations at one of their venues, that would be fine.’
Earlier this year, Woolworths and ALDI chose not to sell Australia Day merchandise, resulting in a strong customer backlash.
Several councils have also opted to stop hosting traditional citizenship ceremonies on January 26.
Cricket Australia and Tennis Australia no longer commemorate the day during their major January events.
Additionally, some universities and government bodies are offering employees the choice to take a different day off instead of January 26.
Despite calls for a ‘more inclusive’ national day, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ruled out any changes.
The Labor government has allocated $10 million in the 2025 Budget for the Australia Day Events national grant program.
Additionally, they have committed to providing an extra $1.5 million annually starting from 2024-25 for the National Australia Day Council's operations.
A Roy Morgan Research poll conducted earlier this year found that 59 per cent of Australians believe Australia Day should remain on January 26.
We at the Seniors Discount Club invite you to share your thoughts and experiences. How do you feel about the decision of these venues not to celebrate Australia Day? Do you have a favourite spot on the list? Let us know in the comments below, and let's continue the conversation about our nation's history and future.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions, with many questioning the implications for traditional celebrations, while others support the push for more inclusive events.
As Australia Day approaches, the conversation surrounding how the occasion is observed continues to gain momentum.
Australia Day, a national holiday marked on January 26th, has long been a day of celebration for many Australians.
It commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Port Jackson in New South Wales in 1788 and the raising of the British flag at Sydney Cove by Governor Arthur Phillip.
However, this date also represents a time of mourning for Indigenous Australians, who see it as ‘Invasion Day’—a day that signifies the beginning of the dispossession and subsequent oppression of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Australian Venue Co, owning over 200 venues, will not celebrate Australia Day due to the sadness and hurt it causes for some patrons and staff. Credit: Facebook / Australia Day
In a move that reflects the growing debate around the significance of Australia Day, Australian Venue Co, the country's second-largest hospitality group, has decided to forgo celebrations across its venues nationwide.
It operates over 200 venues across Australia, including around 90 in Queensland and 60 in Victoria.
The company stated that January 26 brings ‘sadness’ and ‘hurt’ to many of its patrons and staff.
This includes venues such as Bungalow8, Cargo, Kingsley's Woolloomooloo, and Parkside Hotel in Sydney, as well as the Esplanade Hotel, Prince of Wales, Duke of Wellington, and Garden State Hotel in Melbourne.
In addition, the Claremont Hotel and Bassendean Hotels in Perth, the Regatta Hotel, Boundary Hotel, and Fridays bar in Brisbane, along with the Parkside Hotel and Colonist in Adelaide, will also not be hosting celebrations.
‘Australia Day is a day that causes sadness for some members of our community, so we have decided not to specifically celebrate a day that causes hurt for some of our patrons and our team,’ an Australia Venues Co spokesperson stated.
Indigenous activist Warren Mundine offered some bold advice for those planning to celebrate on January 26.
‘Don't bother about having a drink in their venues, p*** these b******* off,’ he said after learning of the boycott.
Mr Mundine, who spearheaded the successful campaign against the Indigenous Voice to Parliament last year, claimed that the true reason ‘woke companies’ refuse to celebrate Australia Day is because ‘they just hate the country’.
‘They hate Australians, they hate Australia, and that's why they do these things,’ he remarked.
Mr Mundine encouraged Australians to celebrate by heading to the beach, throwing some lamb and sausages on the barbecue, or ordering takeaway from a venue ‘that actually cares about this country—not a hater of Australians—and we'll have a great time’.
Wurundjeri elder Ian Hunter added, ‘It is condescending. They think we are doing the best thing for Indigenous peoples.’
Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett called the decision ‘extraordinary’ and ‘divisive’.
‘They are totally out of touch with the community,’ he stated.
‘If no one wants to participate in Australia Day celebrations at one of their venues, that would be fine.’
Earlier this year, Woolworths and ALDI chose not to sell Australia Day merchandise, resulting in a strong customer backlash.
Several councils have also opted to stop hosting traditional citizenship ceremonies on January 26.
Cricket Australia and Tennis Australia no longer commemorate the day during their major January events.
Additionally, some universities and government bodies are offering employees the choice to take a different day off instead of January 26.
Despite calls for a ‘more inclusive’ national day, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ruled out any changes.
The Labor government has allocated $10 million in the 2025 Budget for the Australia Day Events national grant program.
Additionally, they have committed to providing an extra $1.5 million annually starting from 2024-25 for the National Australia Day Council's operations.
A Roy Morgan Research poll conducted earlier this year found that 59 per cent of Australians believe Australia Day should remain on January 26.
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