Australia's lead body for reconciliation has shone a positive light on debate surrounding January 26, saying it signals there's a side of the country re-evaluating what the date means.

Reconciliation Australia chief executive, Karen Mundine, said regarding the path of national unity and common understanding of shared history, ally choices and how they engage with the public holiday is positive.

"The support of First Nations events by non-Indigenous Australians is a welcome sign of our country's growing maturity and understanding as more and more Australians join the movement for reconciliation and justice," Ms Mundine said.

"Truth-telling is critical to Australia being able to celebrate together; a common understanding of our shared history is essential. Unity, justice, and national pride is dependent on truth."

With reference to polling indicating more than half of Australians support re-telling of the nation's history from First Nations perspectives, Ms Mundine said broader understanding of history is a requirement for reaching unity.

"National unity and improved social cohesion are dependent on a broader telling of history and a common understanding of our shared history is essential in the creation of a national day for all Australians," she said.

"National unity cannot be built on selective versions of history that exclude, brush over or silence the voices and experiences of First Nations peoples.

"Nor can unity be achieved by refusing to discuss alternative dates for Australia's national day in the face of legitimate and long-standing objections from First Nations and other Australians."

Alongside 'Australia Day' celebrations will be held across the country this weekend, tens of thousands are expected to attend Invasion Day / Survival Day rallies, protests and events, including non-Indigenous Australians.

Earlier this week, state-based Reconciliation bodies rejected suggestions a turn away from the date is a cause for division.

Reconciliation South Australia called on their state to be open to change.

"There is a pathway forward where we can celebrate our country and all who call Australia home and be proud of the world's oldest continuous living culture, January 26th is not that day," Reconciliation SA chief executive Jason Downs said.

"We acknowledge that many Australians view January 26 as a day to celebrate with pride, and that some believe opposing this date is 'woke' and divisive. That couldn't be further from the truth."

Mr Downs urged South Australians to consider First Nations perspective on the date as one "marking the invasion of their lands and the start of colonisation".

Wirangu and Mirning man and Reconciliation SA co-chair, Jeremy Johncock, said ideas First Nations Australians have no interest in celebrating "our beautiful Country" is a misconception.

"Of course we do, just not on the day that marks the beginning of dispossession, forcible removal of children, loss of culture, languages and lands," Mr Johncock stated.

"Acknowledging our shared history is one part but acceptance of this history, seems to be the challenging piece. Both are essential for healing, unity, and progress."

Reconciliation WA co-chair Nolan Hunter had a similar message, saying: "Changing the date of Australia Day is not a token gesture nor an attempt to disregard our history. It's about acknowledging that we are one country, one people, united in our diversity".

In Victoria, concerns have been raised over some statements and policies from political figures, local government and community groups.

The state's peak reconciliation body said efforts to roll back First Peoples' recognition and fight for equality can prove "profoundly hurtful".

"First Peoples hold a unique status as the custodians of this land for over 65,000 years," Reconciliation Victoria co-chair Professor Andrew Gunstone said.

"Their rich history, living culture, and unbreakable connection to Country are honoured through Welcomes to Country and the display of their flags."

"The ongoing struggle for recognition and justice cannot be ignored.

The efforts to diminish this progress reflect a disregard for the values of respect, truth, and inclusivity that are central to reconciliation," he added, calling on all Australians to embrace First Nations "histories, cultures, and rights as foundational elements of a shared national identity that brings us together".

In a statement, Reconciliation Victoria said recent announcements "which claim to promote national unity, are, in fact, regressive and divisive".

In recent weeks, opposition leader Peter Dutton has flagged policy to legislate January 26 as Australia Day, and for councils to conduct citizenship ceremonies on the date - a move some LGAs have moved away from.

In December, Mr Dutton announced plans to scrap the inclusion of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags from press conferences if the coalition is successful in this year's federal election, among other related moves.

Related comments from the opposition leader drew criticism from Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy.

On Thursday night, Victorian Opposition leader Brad Battin labelled Naarm's annual Jan 26 rally a "hateful" protest, which has allowed hate and division to fester in our once-harmonious city".

Karen Mundine has urged respectful conversations amongst debate in pursuing reconciliation, and a nation able to be celebrated by all.