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January 26

What does January 26 mean to you? A day off? A barbecue and fireworks?
A celebration of who we are as a nation? A day of mourning and invasion?
A celebration of survival?

Australians hold many different views on what January 26 means to them.

For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it isn’t a day for celebration. Instead, January 26 represents a day on which their way of life was invaded and changed forever. For others, it is Survival Day – a celebration of the survival of people and culture, and the continuous contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make to Australia.

In this Self-Guided Education Tour you will learn:

  • The history of January 26 and the 1938 Day of Mourning
  • Different perspectives from Aboriginal people about “Australia Day”
  • How you can be a better ally on and beyond January 26.

Course Modules

Filters:

PDF

Let’s talk January 26

Reconciliation Australia

A quick fact sheet exploring the history and meaning of January 26.

 

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Web page

Pride and pain timeline

Australians Together

Explore the timeline and discover why January 26 is a day of both pride and pain.

 

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Web page

The Story of the Day of Mourning on January 26

Yoorrook Justice Commission

On January 26 1938, First Peoples activists held the nation’s first Day of Mourning.

 

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Video

Aboriginal People Respond To “Australia Day”

As/Is

Hear perspectives from Aboriginal people on Australia Day.

 

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Video

Hear Me Out: Australia Day

ABC News

What's the history of January 26?

 

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Article

Rethinking 26 January

ANTAR

Hear perspectives on changing versus abolishing the date

 

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Article

What does January 26 mean to Aboriginal peoples?

SBS NITV

How do we move forward as a nation on January 26?

 

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Web page

2025 Survival Day events

ANTAR

Discover 2025 Survival Day events in WA and across Australia

 

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Web page

Change it Ourselves

Change It Ourselves Alliance

Learn about and join the Change it Ourselves movement.

 

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Web page

Five Ways To Be An Ally on Australia Day

Evolve Communities

How to support First Nations people on January 26th.

 

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Web page

Invasion Day 2025 – Activist Toolkit

Amnesty International

Explore this kit to take action this January 26.

 

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Web page

Australia Day – Invasion Day

Creative Spirits

Why do some people call Australia Day Invasion Day?

 

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Video

Australia Day or Invasion Day? Change, abolish or rename the date?

Paint it Blak

Emma explains why more Australians want the date of Australia Day to change.

 

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Article

This January 26, Indigenous Australians are feeling strong emotions of love, respect, sadness and hope

ABC News

Hear how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people feel about January 26.

 

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