Change the day Council celebrates Australia Day.

Petition Number: 00002

Created By: Helen Sharpe

Deadline: 15th January

At 10,000 signatures, this petition will be considered for debate by Council.

Background:

Most Australians celebrate Australia Day as the day Australia was founded. In contrast, Aboriginal people mourn their history and call it 'Invasion Day'.

January 26, 1788 was the date on which Captain Arthur Phillip took formal possession of the colony of New South Wales and raised the British flag for the first time in Sydney Cove.

In the early 1880s the day was known as 'First Landing', 'Anniversary Day' or 'Foundation Day'.

In 1946 the Commonwealth and state governments agreed to unify the celebrations on January 26 and call it 'Australia Day'. The day became a public holiday in 1818 (its 30th anniversary).

Before 1994 Australia Day was the closest Monday to January 26 to ensure a long weekend. (This tells you a lot about Australians' priorities!)

As a progressive local government organisation, Council should respect the sensitivities around Australia Day for our First Nations people and find a suitable replacement for Australia Day in the spirit of respect and reconciliation.