January 26 will see rallies, smoking ceremonies, concerts and mourning ceremonies across the country in a call for a new national day, as well as celebrating Indigenous survival.
Among dozens of events planned on Invasion or Survival Day, some events will also call for solidarity with Indigenous people worldwide, an abolition of colonial power structures, and solidarity with Palestinian people in Gaza.
Victoria
When:5:30am (mob only), 6:30am (all welcome)
Where: 62 Morgan Street, North Geelong
Cost: Free
What: This event will begin with a Mob Only space for reflection between 5:30am and 6:30am, before allies and other community members are invited to attend, be involved and listen to speakers between 6:30am and 7:30am. Bacon and egg rolls and coffee/tea will be provided and no RSVP is required.
When: 5:30am
Where: Viewpoint, Lake Wendouree, Ballarat, Wadawurrung Country
Cost: Free
What: A 100% Aboriginal run event with local artists, food and market stalls.
When: 5:30am – 6:30am
Where: Kings Domain Resting Place, Linlithgow Avenue on the hill opposite Janet Lady Clarke Rotunda in Naarm (Melbourne).
Cost: Free
What: Dawn Service. Organisers ask for allies and mob to use #WeAlwaysRemember when inviting others and posting about the event.
When: 5:30am – 7:00am
Where: Cosy Corner Beach, The Esplanade, Torquay 3228, Wadawurrung Country
Cost: Free
What: A truth-telling event presented by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with Surf Coast Shire Council and includes a deep-listening and reflection at sunrise.
Willum Warrain 'Change the Date'
When: 9:30 am – 11:00 am
Where: Willum Warrain, 10c Pound Road Hastings, Bunurong / Boon Wurrung Country
Cost: Free
What: A smoking ceremony and yarning circle followed by morning tea for both Mob and non-Indigenous people.
When:10:00 am
Where: Parliament House of Victoria, Spring St Melbourne, Wurundjeri and Boon Warring Lands
Cost: Free
What: The protest is an "annual reminder of invasion, occupation, genocide and the ongoing impacts of colonisation that continues to destroy our lives, our lands and our waters."
When: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Where: Jaycee Park, Mildura
Cost: Free
What: The march starts at the stage in Langtree Mall down to Jaycee Park to gather under the big tree and will work in partnership with Mildura Council and local Aboriginal orgs.
When: 11:30 am
Where: Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne
Cost: Free
What: A community based festival. Legendary acts performing include Coloured Stone, No Fixed Address & Blackfire with performances from contemporary artists, David Arden, Kutcha Edwards, Deniece Hudson, Stray Blacks, Robbie Bundle, Yambra, Richard Frankland, Brian Morley, Yung Warriors and Deans of Soul. It will also showcase Indigenous women who will be performing, including Madi Colville- Walker, Maylene Yinar Slater, Canisha, Monica McDonald, Naretha Williams, Carissa Nyalu , Leonie Whyman and Charlie Woods.
When: 11:00 am – 5:00 am
Where: The Briars, 450 Nepean Hwy, Mount Martha VIC 3934, Australia
Cost: $35 or free for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
What: Our Songlines, a 100% Aboriginal-owned and woman-led organisation, wil help run an event focussing on Indigenous education, cultural entertainment, food and sustainability through the theme of 'Keep Surviving.'
New South Wales
When: 5:20-5:50 am
Where: Sydney Opera House Circular Quay, Gadigal Land
Cost: Free
What: A sombre moment at sunrise and everyone is encouraged to gather on the shores around the Opera House to pause, reflect and remember as the artwork is revealed on the opera house and both the Australian flag and Aboriginal flags are raised over the bridge.
When: 7:30-8:30 am
Where: Walumil lawns at Barangaroo reserve, Gadigal Land
Cost: Free
What: The WugulOra Morning Ceremony will include a smoking ceremony as well as dance, music and language.It will be broadcast live on ABC TV
When: 7:00 am
Where: Fingal Head, Boat Harbour, Bundjalung Country NSW
Cost: Free
What: Currie Country will host the this event to pay respect. Everyone is welcome.
Cost: Free
Invasion Day Rally/Day of Mourning 2024
When: 9:30 am
Where: Customs House 1 Bond St, Newcastle NSW 2300
Cost: Free
What: Meet at 9.30 am at Customs House and the rally departs 10:00am. The AwabaMi Festival at Foreshore Park will feature a full day of Truth-telling, Festival with Market Stalls and Music.
When: 10:00 am
Where: Belmore Park, Gadigal Land
Cost: Free
What: Meet at Belmore Park before a march around Sydney CBD, ending in Victoria Park at Yabun Festival which is taking place at Victoria Park, Broadway on Gadigal Land.
Narrungdera Survival Day March
When: 10:00 am
Where: East St, Narrungdera, Wiradjuri Country
Cost: Free
What: The Narrungdera NAIDOC Committee hosts a march down East Street. Meeting at 10:30am at Narrandera Ambulance Station, The Survival Day March will start at 11:00am from the Ambulance Station down East Street to Memorial Park. This event is open to all the Narrandera Shire Community.
When: 11:00 am
Where: Dickinson Oval, Djiringanj Land
Cost: Free
What: There will be free food, entertainment, and giveaways, alongside rugby league coaching. The event includes performances by Gahdu Dreaming Band and Mudjingaal Yangamba choir.
Bundjalung Nation Survival Day
When: 11:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Where: Apex Park, Cavanbah (Byron Bay) Arakwal Country
Cost: Free
What: Listen to speakers and stand in solidarity. Hear music and story. Support stalls and BYO picnic rug.
Ḻuku Ngärra: The Law of the Land Free Screening
When: 26 January 2024, 6:30 PM
Where: Byron Theatre, 69 Jonson St, Byron Bay, Bundjalung Country
Cost: Free
What: Celebrate the launch of Truth Telling Together, a national movement that seeks to inspire all Australians to educate themselves and others about First Nations Australian history, culture and law, inspired by the life work of Rev Djiniyini Gondarra. The film is PG and strictly te tickets per booking.
Western Australia
When: 9:00 - 11:00 am
Where: Victoria Gardens Foreshore, 10 Royal Street Perth, Whadjuk Noongar Boodja
Cost: Free
What: Greens Senator Dorinda Cox and respected community members will hold a ceremony to acknowledge the past and move toward a better future
When: 12:00 pm onwards
Where: Forrest Chase, on Wellington Street in Boorloo (Perth), Whadjuk Noongar Country
Costs: Free
What: Meet at Forrest Place Booraloo for a rally, the match will start from 1.30pm at Forrest Place to Stirling gardens with a 2pm Yarning Circle with grassroots Elders at Stirling Gardens
When: 3:30 - 7:30 pm
Where: Supreme Court Gardens, 2 Barrack Street
Costs: Free
What: An annual concert with local and interstate performers, community stalls, workshops and a live radio broadcast, plus activities for children
When: 4:00 pm - 11.45 pm
Where: Goolarri Amphitheatre, 3 Blackman Street Broome, Yawuru Country
Costs: Online Tickets $25 with under 10 year olds free
What: Goolarri Media is opening the doors for food vans throughout the day. This is a licensed event and people under the age of 18 will only be admitted if accompanied by an adult.
South Australia
Mourning in the Morning / Smoking Ceremony
When: 7:00 am – 8:00 am
Where: Elder Park / Tarntanya Wama
Cost: Free
What: Join Rev Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna cultural leader Uncle Moogy Sumner in a cleansing Smoking Ceremony
When: 12:00 pm
Where: Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga, Tandanya (Adelaide)
Cost: Free
What: Listen to First Nations People's battle for Justice and Rights through speakers and performers.
When: 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Where: Elder Park / Tarntanya Wama
Cost: Free
What: The 2024 Aus Lights on the River Program will be inspired by creative visions of Belonging to Country and Connecting to Nature
When: 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Where: Across the Riverbank Precinct Bridge down to Elder Park / Tarntanya Wama
Cost: Free
What: The parade will begin at Adelaide Oval on War Memorial Drive before travelling over the Torrens River Footbridge into Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama. You can view the parade in designated areas or from Elder Park/Tarntanya Wama.
Survival Day Laratinga Wetlands
When: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Where: Laratinga Wetlands, Laratinga Pavilion, Springs Rd, Mt Barker
Cost: Free
What: Join THE Peramangk People for our the ever Survival Day event on Peramangk Watta. Family Friendly event.Peramangk will be showcasing: Elders Living Library, Song, Dance, Arts, Film, Spoken word, Hip Hop, story telling, weaving, Yidaki, Arts making workshops and Cultural Immersion experience, stalls from First Nations artists. Sensory corner available. Sausage sizzle and salads, coffee, tea and water provided. Very limited transport will be available for First Nations People.. Elders, women, children and people with disabilities will be given priority.
When: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Where: 44 Australia Two Ave North Haven
Cost: Free
What: Kura Yerlo, North Haven Surf Club along with Watto Purrunna Aboriginal Health Care Service invites for a free breakfast of bacon and egg rolls/sandwiches with special performances by Katie Aspell and Yidaki player Michael Connelly. Welcome to Country by Patiola Wilson.
Tasmania
Putiya Kanaplila Invasion Day Rally
When: 11:45 am onwards
Where: Depart TAC 198 Elizabeth Street, Nipaluna
Cost: Free
What: Marches and rallies across Lutruwita start at 12:00 noon at Parliament Lawns
When: 11:30 am
Where: Tulaminikali Health Service (106 Best Street), Limilinaturi (Devonport)
Cost: Free
What: March and rally in Market Square at 12:00 noon, behind Paranaple Centre.
Northern Territory
When: 7:45 am
Where: Darwin Waterfront lagoon, Larrakia Country
Cost: Free
What: The Larrakia People will hold a Smoking Ceremony, with storytelling and performances
First Nations Community Gathering (Mob only)
When: TBA - contact Tahlia Biggs
Where: Gulumerridjin Larrakia Country, 12 Smith Street Darwin City
Cost: Free
What: Spaces include air con, fans, seating and tables, projector and microphones, tea and coffee, water and soft drinks. Contact Tahlia Biggs for further information.
Arrernte Nation Survival Day
When: 6:00 - 8:00pm
Where: Alice Springs Telegraph Station, Arrernte Country
Cost: Free
What: Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony, tea damper and BBQ, kids corner, Arrernte Boxing Academy, live music/open mic and bush medicines.
Queensland
When: 5:30am - 12:30pm
Where: Strand Park Townsville, North Queensland
Cost: Free
What: Dance, poetry, storytelling and much more. Mala Jina Waran (Men dancing using hand & feet) will be performing and showcasing their dances of the Yalanji Nation on Gurumbilbara country, lands of the Wulgurukaba people.
Invasion Day Rally: We Have Survived!
When: 9:00am
Where: Queens Gardens Meanjin (Brisbane), 144 William St, Yuggera/Jagera and Turrbal Country
Cost: Free
What: Beginning at 8am at Queens Gardens for sign making, the march will begin at around 10am and finish at Musgrave Park. Stand in solidarity & goodwill with First Nations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) people
We Have Survived! Sunshine Coast
When: 9:00am - 1:00pm
Where: Sunshine Coast City Hall, corner of First Ave and South Sea Islander Way, Maroochydore
Cost: Free
What: Meeting at 9.00am at Foundation Square to commemorate and celebrate the true history of this country. At 10.00am community will lead a 1.5km procession to Cotton Tree Park where there will be an open mic and time for community to network.
When: 10:00am
Where: Maleny Neighbourhood Centre, 17 Bicentennial Lane, Maleny, Jinibara/Kabi Kabi Country
Cost: Free
What: Designed for non-Indigenous people and held in the backyard of the Maleny Neighbourhood Centre.
When: 7:15am for a 7:30am start
Where: Gather at the bronze canoe, near Simpson's playground, end of Graceville Ave, Graceville
Cost: Free
What: Benarrawa Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Solidarity Group's local acknowledgement, native flowers to be cast into the river as part of the ceremony. Everyone welcome.
Australian Capital Territory
When: 9:30am
Where: Garema Place, Canberra, Ngunnawal Country
Cost: Free
What: Join at the rallying point in Garema Place, before a march hosted by the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.
