Citizenship ceremonies, celebrations, flag raisings and protests have all marked Australia Day.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor-General David Hurley met with Indigenous elders for a private smoking ceremony as official commemorations kicked off around the nation.
The pair were welcomed with military salutes at the flag-raising and citizenship ceremony in Canberra.
Crowds gathered to watch as Alinta Barlow and the Luminescence Children’s Choir sang the national anthem first in English and then in the local Indigenous Ngunnawal language.
That was followed by a 21-gun salute that rang out over Lake Burley Griffin as a Seahawk SH-60R helicopter flew the Australian flag overhead.
Mr Albanese said it was the nation’s great pride to have 60,000 years of Indigenous culture and history.
“Today is a difficult day for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and that is acknowledged,” he said.
“Let us all recognise the unique privilege we have to share this continent with the world’s oldest continuous culture.”
Canberra’s Aunty Violet Sheridan used her welcome to country to call for unity.
“I’m a proud Ngunnawal Aboriginal woman but I’m also a proud Australian,” she said.
“I want us to come together.”
But just kilometres down the road in Canberra’s centre, Indigenous activists are protesting “Invasion Day” as they march towards the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.
Invasion Day rally in Brisbane, Thursday, January 26, 2023. (AAP Image/Jono Searle)
Protest leaders are calling for a focus on sovereignty, treaty and truth-telling.
Governor-General David Hurley said Australia had become a country to be proud of since Captain Arthur Phillip landed at Sydney Cove in 1788, one made stronger by the history, traditions and culture of Indigenous people.
“Our individual identities and stories weave together into a modern, diverse nation of people,” he said.
“That is worth celebrating. Yes, there are many challenges and yes, we don’t agree on everything.
“We do however work hard, look out for each other and are not afraid to take on the big challenges.”
Millions of Australians will mark the holiday through celebration, commemoration or protest.
Events in Sydney began at dawn with a projection on the Opera House by Kamilaroi woman and artist Rhonda Sampson acknowledging the important role of women around Sydney Cove before Captain Phillip’s arrival.
It was followed by a smoking ceremony at Barangaroo, held for the 20th year to celebrate the culture and language of Indigenous people.
A traditional ferry race across the harbour will follow later on Thursday.
The Andrews government in Victoria has cancelled the annual street parade through Melbourne, choosing to focus on local gatherings.
But a 21-gun salute will occur at midday at the Shrine of Remembrance followed by the RAAF Roulettes city fly-over.
For many people, Australia Day will be business as usual.
Deloitte, KPMG, CSL and other large companies have allowed employees to work on Australia Day and take a day of leave at another time as part of their flexible cultural leave arrangements.
Invasion Day or Survival Day rallies will be held in all capital cities, providing a visual reminder of opposition to the public holiday.
Polling from conservative think-tank the Institute of Public Affairs suggested three-and-a-half times more Australians support Australia Day remaining on January 26 than those who were opposed.
But support decreases among younger age groups. Among 18-to 24-year-olds, only 42 per cent were in favour of maintaining the day compared to 30 per cent against.
© AAP 2023
