Our First Nations peoples are the traditional custodians of our beautiful lands and waterways and have a fundamental role in the great Australian story. We aspire to an Australia Day that can increasingly include a recognition and celebration by all Australians of the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to our nation.
January 26 is a day with multiple meanings. Some consider it a day of mourning, others a day to acknowledge our past and to respect and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ survival, resilience and enduring culture.
Our national day provides an opportunity to reflect on our complete and complex history, and to understand that acknowledging and reconciling our past helps lay a path to a stronger future.
It's a time we can all reflect on and learn about our national journey including the ongoing history, traditions and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Welcome to Country & Acknowledgement of Country
Encouraging Australians to come together and acknowledge the past – in particular our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture – is at the centre of the National Australia Day Council’s efforts to ensure our national day is one that is inclusive of the stories and histories of all Australians.
There are many ways to appropriately Acknowledge Country or Welcome to Country, so it is key to learn and understand the differences between them and why they are important.
Incorporating Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country into meetings, gatherings and events shows respect by upholding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols.
Download Welcome to Country & Acknowledgement of Country Guide
AN INCLUSIVE DAY
Local councils, not-for-profit community groups and local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities have come together to collaborate on hundreds of meaningful and respectful events.
The National Australia Day Council encourages local councils and community groups to:
- Proactively engage with local Indigenous groups to hold inclusive events on Australia Day
- Foster constructive, respectful discussion about the contributions of all Australians past, present and future
- Further engage with local Aboriginal communities to authentically reflect on our history and culture
