Community spirit at the heart of Australia Day 2023
In suburbs and towns around the nation, Australians will come together on Australia Day 2023 to reflect, respect and celebrate the strength and spirit of their local communities. Hundreds of local community events will be held around the country on Australia Day, with the National Australia Day Council providing more than $15 million in funding to support over 500 inclusive events thanks to the Commonwealth Government.
The Honourable Patrick Gorman MP, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister said “The Australian Government is proud to support the National Australia Day Council and its network for the delivery of the Australia Day 2023 capital city events program. We are committed to bringing our nation and people together. This is one step on our journey towards reconciliation and working in genuine partnership with First Nations peoples.
“Every Australia Day, we reflect on 65,000 years of history on this land. The nation we are committed to continue building is one centred on respect, inclusiveness, multiculturalism and diversity. This is an opportunity for all Australians to come together and be a part of this particularly important Australia Day in returning our arts, music and culture back to the heart of our wonderful cities.”
In Perth, Australia Day events and activations will span a range of family and cultural entertainment. Langley Park will be a hub of family fun with a variety of free and paid activities on offer in the City of Perth Entertainment Zone. Throughout the day, visitors can also enjoy dishes from around the world with a variety of food vendors.
The free Reflect, Respect, Celebrate Film Dome presented by Auspire – Australia Day Council WA, will feature informative and educational short films including Six Noongar Seasons; Shine the Light; and The Story of Us. The films will be showing on rotation throughout the afternoon, from 3pm – 8pm. There will also be a free, fun photo booth and Australia Day merchandise giveaways throughout the afternoon.
The annual Birak Concert, boasting a stellar line-up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture and entertainment will again be taking over Supreme Court Gardens. Meanwhile, the best of Australia’s extreme action talent will be showcased during Freestyle Motocross (FMX) and BMX Stunt shows.
Perth’s 2023 Australia Day will culminate with the City of Perth Light Show that will fill the sky above the Swan River with a dazzling display of drones and fireworks.
There is also the terrific opportunity to win up to $12,000 in the Reflect Respect Celebrate Photography Competition, courtesy of the National Australia Day Council. Simply capture the spirit of Reflect Respect Celebrate wherever you happen to be on the day and submit your photos here.
Auspire – Australia Day Council WA CEO Morgen Lewis said she was especially pleased to see the increase in the number of Local Government and community groups apply for funding to support Australia Day this year. “The scope and diversity in how we will celebrate on Australia Day clearly illustrates our community’s appetite to recognise our national day.”
Events and activities being held range from smoking ceremonies to community breakfasts, from Aboriginal cultural entertainment to citizenship ceremonies and multicultural food festivals to Community Citizen of the Year Awards.
Over the last decade there have been calls on the Commonwealth Government to change the date of Australia Day due to growing public debate it is not considered inclusive for all Australians. In recent years however, the tone of how Australians recognise and celebrate the day has changed, with people taking a more respectful, reflective approach to what the day is about and what it means to be Australian.
“Australia Day is not only a time to celebrate a common future we will create together, but also a day to reflect on the sacrifices others have made just to call Australia home – fleeing a homeland, leaving behind family and friends and taking difficult and dangerous journeys in pursuit of a better future.” Ms Lewis said.
“It’s also a time to reflect on the pivotal date in the history of our ancient continent, which can be difficult for some and rightly so. For me personally it’s about acknowledging the past, paying respect and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ survival, resilience and enduring culture.”
In November last year, Auspire – Australia Day Council WA publicly declared its support of the Commonwealth Government’s process to take forward the Uluru Statement from the Heart in full and in December last year, Commonwealth Government announced more flexibility for Local Councils to deliver Citizenship Ceremonies either side of Australia Day.
For more information about Australia Day and all the inclusive events and activities happening around the nation, visit australiaday.org.au