January 26 Events 2024

January 26 Events 2024

With January 26 approaching, Reconciliation Victoria promotes state-wide events that recognise and pay respect to First Peoples culture, country, and history. We support truth-telling and help to promote events which honour and strengthen First Peoples' stories and rightful place in Australia’s identity.

These events are family-friendly and encourage unity and respect for First Peoples, culture, and truth-telling about Australia’s history. This page will be updated regularly until Friday 26 January 2024.

Read Reconciliation Victoria's Jan 26 Position Statement and Protocols and Suggestions.

View all 26 January resources or our Maggolee page.

26 January Events 2024

Community Events

Virtual Event: Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
Treaty and First Nations Justice Webinar with Nerita Waight

Date: Thursday 25 January 2024
Time: 4pm
Location: Online via Zoom

Join Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) for an insightful online discussion about Treaty and First Nations Justice in the lead-up to January 26.

This webinar will bring together an all First Nations panel of Treaty experts from widespread nations including Aotearoa (New Zealand), Canada, and across Australia. Listen to unique perspectives as our panellists share their experiences, compare global approaches, and chart the path towards productive Treaty agreements that ensure justice for First Nations communities.

VALS CEO and First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria Treaty Co-Convenor Nerita Waight will moderate the panel discussion.

More speakers to be announced shortly.

Register here.

Share the Spirit Festival
Songlines Aboriginal Music

Date: Friday 26 January 2024
Time: 1pm - 9pm
Location: Sidney Myer Music Bowl


Share the Spirit is a community-based festival that celebrates the survival of First Peoples in Australia and is an important cultural gathering for local and regional communities.

The line up for 2024 has been announced, featuring performances by:

Coloured Stone, No Fixed Address, Blackfire, David Arden, Kutcha Edwards, Deniece Hudson, Stray Blacks, Robbie Bundle, Yambra, Richard Frankland, Brian Morley, Yung Warriors and the Deans of Soul.

Free event, open to all.

More details.


Our Survival Day

Friday 26 January
Time: 11am - 5pm
Location: The Briars, Mount Martha

Join Our Survival Day for a community event that family-friendly and a safe space.

An incredible line up of local artists, experiences, food and market stalls come together to share in the same cause.

26th January is not the date to celebrate. It’s the date to practice culture, and learn history.

Our Survival Day 2024’s theme is: KEEP SURVIVING.

"It’s been a hard year, we aren’t here to sugar-coat it, but we will experience it alongside you."

More information

Purchase tickets.

Willum Warrain: Change the Date Event

Date: Friday 26 January 2024
Time: 9:30am -11am
Location:
10C Pound Road, Hastings VIC 3915

Join Willum Warrain for a ‘Change the Date’ gathering.

Open to First Nations people and non-Indigenous supporters.

Come along for a smoking ceremony and yarning circle followed by morning tea.

Learn more.

Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Day of Mourning Gathering

Date: Friday 26 January

Time: 5:30am - 7am
Location:
62 Morgan St, North Geelong

Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative will be hosting a dawn morning service day to mark the survival of ongoing traditions and cultures, and the strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

This event will begin with a First Peoples' space for reflection between 5:30am and 6:30am.

Allies and all community members invited to participate and hear from guest speakers from 6:30am onwards.

Breakfast, coffee/tea provided.

Share the flyer or event page.

Save the Date: Belgrave Survival Day 2024

Date: TBC

Location: TBC

Belgrave Survival Day (BSD) is an annual community event that celebrates the survival of First Nations 
people, their culture and heritage. 

The Belgrave Survival Day committee are seeking passionate people to get involved in the upcoming 2024 event.

No experience is necessary. People from all walks of life are invited to reach out and express their interest.

No deadline, apply here.

Keep up to date via the BSD event page or Burrinja website for further details on the 2024 event.

Local Government Events

Mount Alexander Shire Council
Survival Day Event

Date: Friday 26 January 2024

Time: 10am - 2pm
Location:
Victory Park, 31 Mostyn Street, Castlemaine

Join Mount Alexander Shire Council's Survival Day concert hosted by Dja Dja Wurrung Elder, Uncle Rick Nelson (pictured above).

This free family-friendly event includes a Welcome to Country, citizenship ceremony, and the Shire’s Australia Day Awards.

More details.

Bunjil’s Marroun Healing Ceremony
Moonee Valley City Council

Date: Friday 26 January 2024

Time: 4pm 
Location: Djerring Flemington Hub, 25 Mt Alexander Rd, Flemington

Moonee Valley City Council is hosting an annual Healing Ceremony to respectfully acknowledge the pain and suffering experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

The ceremony will include an Acknowledgement of History by Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder Aunty Dianne Kerr, guest speaker Uncle Charles Pakana and performance by the Nhanbu Togip Dance group.

Share the flyer or event page.

Pilk Purriyn: Truth-telling Event 

Date: Friday 26 January 2024
Time: 5:30am - 7am

Location: Cosy Corner Beach,The Esplanade, Torquay 3228

Pilk Purriyn is a truth-telling event presented by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with Surf Coast Shire Council.

Everyone is welcome to come together for deep-listening and reflection at sunrise. The event begins with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony from Wadawurrung Traditional Owners. 

Learn more.

City of Ballarat Survival Day Dawn Ceremony

Date: Friday 26 January
Time:
Dawn Ceremony 5:30 - 6:30am (First Peoples only)
Cultural Activities from 9am (Open to everyone)
Location:
Lake Wendoree Ballarat

The 2024 Ballarat Survival Day Dawn Ceremony is the fifth reflection and healing event hosted by the City of Ballarat's Koorie Engagement Action Group (KEAG) Advisory Committee in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members. The Survival Day Dawn Ceremony is an inclusive event, welcoming all to join in solidarity for truth-telling and healing; and will be followed by free activities.

Learn more.

City of Stonnington Healing Day

Date: Friday 26 January
Time: 11:45am - 2pm
Location: Malvern Cricket Ground. 1253 High St, Malvern


City of Stonnington invite all for the 2024 Healing Ceremony. The event will feature:

  • Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony and speech by Wurundjeri Elder, Aunty Diane Kerr.
  • Performances by Nhanbu Togip dance troupe and Ngiyampaa man First Nations singer-songwriter-Pirritu (Brett Lee).
  • BBQ lunch.

The ceremony supports Council’s Reconciliation journey and provides an opportunity for the community to learn about what the day means to the Traditional Owners, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people.

Reconciliation Stonnington also will have an information stall at this event, drop by for a yarn and learn about Stonnington's First Nations history.

Learn more.

We-Akon Dilinja
Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council in partnership with the City of Port Phillip

When: Friday 26 January
Time: 5:45am - 7am
Location: Alfred Square, St Kilda


The fifth annual We-Akon Dilinja event is a gathering that honours respect, remembrance, and revival.

This dawn ceremony is presented by the Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council, in partnership with the City of Port Phillip and supported by the National Australia Day Council.

This moving event, which will also be livestreamed, includes musical performances and a smoking ceremony. No bookings are required.

Share the flyer or event page.

Merri-bek City Council: Jan 26 Mourning Ceremony

Date: Friday 26 January
Time: 9:30am - 10:30am
Location: Urquhart Street Courtyard
Coburg Civic Centre - 90 Bell Street, Coburg 3058

Merri Bek City Council invites you to attend their Mourning Ceremony on January 26.

Join the Mayor and Elder Uncle Andrew Gardiner for a moment of reflection and mourning on January 26. This is the time to unite, to journey together in solidarity towards a path of healing and reconciliation.

This event will include a Welcome to Country by Elder Uncle Andrew Gardiner and a Smoking Ceremony by Wurundjeri man Thane Garvey.

Light refreshments will be available at 9 am.

Register here

We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters of Victoria.

Join us
Sign up here for our monthly eNews!
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.