Australia Day

2025 - 1 - 26

Celebration or Commemoration? The Truth Behind Australia Day Revealed!

Australia Day 2025 Australia Day - Australia Day Honours - Civic Engagement - Colonisation - Diversity and Multiculturalism - Indigenous peoples - Invasion Day - Rallies - University of Queensland - Australia Day 2025

Australia Day: a date of celebration for some, and heartbreak for others. Dive into the complexities and the celebrations across the nation!

Australia Day, celebrated on January 26 each year, stands at the crossroads of joy and sorrow in Australia. While some Australians revel in parades, barbecues, and fireworks, many Indigenous Australians refer to it as 'Invasion Day', marking the arrival of British colonizers and the pain that followed. The stark contrast in perspective showcases a nation grappling with its history. With a growing movement to abolish or change the date, this annual celebration is transforming into a debate about identity, culture, and reconciliation.

Amidst the festivities, the Australia Day Honours were announced, recognizing outstanding contributions made by individuals from diverse backgrounds. In 2025, over 100 Queenslanders were honored, including commendable figures such as former Bowls SA President Judith Whiting and critical care researcher Professor John Fraser. Their achievements demonstrate the rich tapestry of talent that Australia boasts, bringing together people from all walks of life to celebrate unity in diversity while acknowledging the past.

However, not all was peaceful this Australia Day. Rallies across the country saw thousands gathering to advocate for change, with some protests marred by incidents, such as alleged neo-Nazi groups disrupting the events in Adelaide. As these protesters chant for recognition and change, the vision for a united Australia never seemed more challenging yet necessary. The duality of Australia Day continues to echo the complexity of the nation’s identity, where the past clashes with the present in the quest for a more inclusive future.

Interestingly, Australia Day is also a time for communities to welcome new citizens. The City of Darwin celebrated with 56 new citizens from 20 different countries, showcasing the multicultural fabric of Australia. As citizens come together to appreciate the diversity and contribute to the nation's fabric, it's important to remember the stories and voices that often go unheard in the celebrations. As Australia faces the pressing need for reconciliation and understanding, perhaps it's time to embrace a new narrative that acknowledges both history and unity, transforming celebrations into a tool for change and reflection.

In light of these discussions, it’s fascinating to note that Australia Day has been a public holiday since 1994, although celebrations have been taking place in various forms since the early 19th century. Additionally, since 2017, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has recognized service members with Australia Day honours, further intertwining the themes of patriotism and reflection during a day laden with conflicting emotions. Perhaps this year’s Australia Day can inspire a movement toward understanding, acceptance, and mutual celebration.

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Image courtesy of "Te Ao Māori News"

Australia Day or Invasion Day? (Te Ao Māori News)

Some Australians celebrate Australia Day, but for many Indigenous people there, it's known as Invasion Day—a painful reminder of colonisation and the ...

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Image courtesy of "1 News"

Australia Day or Invasion Day? The debate dividing a nation (1 News)

Explainer: January 26 sparks celebrations for some, but for others, it's a painful reminder of colonisation.

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Image courtesy of "Prime Minister and Cabinet"

Australia Day 2025 Honours (Prime Minister and Cabinet)

Congratulations to the recipients in the Australia Day 2025 Honours List, who were announced today by the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable ...

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Protesters gather at Invasion Day rallies across Australia (ABC News)

Thousands of people are gathering at Invasion Day rallies across the country, backing calls to abolish or change the date of Australia Day.

Defence personnel awarded Australia Day honours and awards (Defence News)

There were 25 Order of Australia recipients and 54 Military Award recipients from across the Australian Defence Force. In support of Australia Day, the ADF has ...

MEDIA STATEMENT: Queenslanders recognised with Australia Day ... (Media Statements)

More than 100 Queenslanders receive Australia Day honours. Two of only six national recipients appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) are ...

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Image courtesy of "UQ News"

UQ community recognised in Australia Day honours (UQ News)

Critical care researcher Professor John Fraser and former Alumni Friends president Dr Catherine Lawrence are among members of The University of Queensland ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

'Keep moving forward': Yunupingu leads Australia Day honours (The Guardian)

Late Yolŋu Indigenous rights activist appointed companion of the Order of Australia, along with lawyer Megan Davis and refugee advocate Gillian Triggs.

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Image courtesy of "NEWS.com.au"

'Neo-Nazis' crash Australia Day protest (NEWS.com.au)

Alleged neo-Nazis have reportedly crashed an Invasion Day protest in Adelaide as thousands of people gather across the country to attend the protests, ...

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Image courtesy of "News - The University of Sydney"

University community receive 2025 Australia Day Honours (News - The University of Sydney)

Staff, alumni and affiliates of the University of Sydney have been recognised for their achievements in the 2025 Australia Day Honours list.

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Image courtesy of "City of Darwin"

Australia Day Ceremony and Citizen of the Year Award Winners (City of Darwin)

City of Darwin is pleased to welcome 56 new citizens from 20 different countries to Darwin, with the new residents officially recognised at an Australia Day ...

Tasmania's 2025 Australia Day Honours (Premier of Tasmania)

Premier Jeremy Rockliff congratulated the recipients of this year's Australia Day Honours. “It is tremendous to see Tasmanians being honoured for their ...

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Community leaders, advocates and sporting superstars among this ... (ABC News)

More than 70 Queenslanders have been recognised in the 2025 Australia Day honours for their contributions to the nation. With achievements ranging from ...

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Image courtesy of "Bowls Australia"

2025 Australia Day Honours (Bowls Australia)

Former Bowls SA President Judith Whiting earned recognition specifically for her contribution and service to the sport, while the late Roslyn Jones', from ...

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Image courtesy of "News - The University of Sydney"

University community receive 2025 Australia Day Honours (News - The University of Sydney)

Staff, alumni and affiliates of the University of Sydney have been recognised for their achievements in the 2025 Australia Day Honours list.

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Image courtesy of "Australian Medical Association"

Doctors' crucial health role recognised in Australia Day Honours (Australian Medical Association)

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) congratulates all doctors who have been recognised in the 2025 Australia Day Honours list for their crucial role in ...

NSWRL congratulates Australia Day honours recipients (New South Wales Rugby League)

True Blues Royce Simmons, Graeme Wynn and Michael Buettner are among seven members of the NSWRL community to receive Australia Day honours today.

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Image courtesy of "SBS"

Invasion Day rallies, new citizens and barbecues: Australia Day ... (SBS)

Thousands took part in protests across the country including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra to highlight the concerns of Indigenous ...

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Image courtesy of "The Sydney Morning Herald"

Tens of thousands join Invasion Day rally as Melbourne marks ... (The Sydney Morning Herald)

Police were out in force around the CBD as tens of thousands of people marched through the streets at an Invasion Day rally and a few dozen staged a counter- ...

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Image courtesy of "FRANCE 24"

Indigenous rights activists protest on Australia Day (FRANCE 24)

Tens of thousands of Australians protested over the treatment of Indigenous people on Sunday as the country celebrated a national holiday marking the 1788 ...

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Image courtesy of "RNZ"

Monuments defaced as Australia Day protests ramp up (RNZ)

Two historic statues were damaged in Melbourne ahead of Australia Day celebrations on Sunday where tens of thousands across the country are expected to join ...

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Image courtesy of "City of Perth"

Local heroes and new citizens shine on Australia Day (City of Perth)

More than 60 new Australian citizens representing 32 countries became citizens at today's City of Perth Australia Day Citizenship and Awards ceremony.

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Image courtesy of "ABC News"

Australia Day 2025 citizenship events begin across the country (ABC News)

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Sunday morning attended a ceremony at Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra, where he received a general salute from the Australian ...

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Image courtesy of "Reuters Australia"

Monuments defaced as Australians protest, celebrate national day (Reuters Australia)

Two historic statues were damaged in Melbourne ahead of Australia Day celebrations on Sunday, with tens of thousands of people across the country joining ...

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Image courtesy of "Government of Western Australia"

Australia Day honours for Corrective Service leaders (Government of Western Australia)

Five respected Corrective Services staff in Western Australia have been recognised in the 2025 Australia Day Honours List for their distinguished community ...

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Image courtesy of "The New York Times"

Australia Day Protesters Vandalize Melbourne and Sydney Statues (The New York Times)

The vandalism unfolded in Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra. Australia Day is a divisive holiday that critics see as a symbol of racism and oppression.

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Image courtesy of "Newstalk ZB"

Steve Price: Melbourne sees 25000 protesting Australia Day (Newstalk ZB)

Melbourne saw around 25,000 people turn out for the event, and proactive speeches calling Australia "a racist nation," and a "coalition nation." Australian ...

Support for changing date of Australia Day softens, but remains ... (Evening Report)

The statement “we should not celebrate Australia Day on January 26” was featured in the Deakin Contemporary History Survey in 2021, 2023, and 2024. Respondents ...

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