Recognizing Invasion Day: A Day of Mourning for First Nations People
January 26th, known as Invasion Day or Survival Day, is a day of mourning for First Nations people in Australia. It marks the day in 1788 when the British Military declared their invasive rule, falsely claiming the land as ‘terra nullius’.
At Friends of the Earth, we acknowledge that the sovereignty over Australia has never been ceded by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This land always has been and always will be Aboriginal land. We are committed to fighting for environmental justice on stolen land and recognize that all forms of justice are interconnected, including climate justice and First Nations justice.
We also understand that all forms of colonialism and oppression are linked. We stand in solidarity with Palestine, First Nations peoples of Australia, and all oppressed Indigenous peoples.
Invasion Day Rallies Across the Continent
Below are some rallies and events happening across the continent where First Nations people and allies are invited to join in resistance against systemic racism, deaths in custody, and the colonial project. Please note that due to the ongoing pandemic, it is important to prioritize COVID-19 safety measures when attending any events.
VIC
Wurundjeri Country / Narrm / Melbourne
Invasion Day Protest Banner Making
January 19th, 3:30 – 8pm – 28 Victoria St Coburg
Details here
Mob Only Banner Making Workshop
January 20th, 3 – 6pm, Black Spark Cultural Centre
Details here
Blak & Palestinian Solidarity Rally
January 25th
Details here
Invasion Day Protest
January 26th, 10am – Parliament House of Victoria
Details here
Share The Spirit Invasion Day Festival
January 26th, 11:30 – 9pm – Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Details here
Bunurong Country / Mt Martha
Survival Day Event
January 26th, 11 – 5pm – 450 Nepean Hwy, Mount Martha
Details here
Wadawurrung Country / Geelong / Ballarat / Torquay
Day of Mourning Dawn Service
January 26th, 5:30 – 7:30am – 62 Morgan St, North Geelong
Details here
Survival Day Dawn Ceremony
January 26th, 5:30am – Viewpoint, Lake Wendouree
Details here
Pilk Purriyn Truth Telling Ceremony
January 26th, 5:30 – 7:00am – Cosy Corner Beach, The Esplanade, Torquay
Details here
Gunditjmara Country / Portland / Hamilton
Survival Day Event
January 26th, 12pm – Portland Foreshore
Details here
Survival Day Event
January 26th, 3 – 5pm – Hamilton Botanic Gardens
Details here
Dja Dja Wurrung Country / Castlemaine
Survival Day Event
January 26th, 10 – 2pm – Victory Park, Castlemaine
Details here
NSW
Gadigal Country / Warrang / Sydney
Invasion Day Rally
January 26th, 10am – Belmore Park (CBD)
Details here
Yabun Festival
January 26th, 10 – 6pm – Victoria Park, Broadway
Details here
Awabakal and Woirimi Country / Newcastle
Invasion Day Rally
January 26th, 10am – 1 Bond St Newcastle
Details here
Djiringanj Country / Bermagui
Survival Day Event
January 26th, 11am – Dickinson Oval, Bermagui
Details here
TAS
Lutruwita Country / Nipaluna / Hobart
Invasion Day March & Rally
January 26th, 11:15am – Elizabeth St & Parliament Lawns
Details here
Lutruwita Country / Limilinaturi / Devonport
Invasion Day March & Rally
January 26th, 11:30am – 106 Best St & Market Square
Details here
QLD
Yuggera/Jagera & Turrbal Country / Meanjin / Brisbane
Invasion Day Rally
January 26th, 9am – Queens Gardens, Brisbane CBD
Details here
Kabi Kabi & Jinibara Country / Sunshine Coast
Invasion Day Rally
January 26th, 9 – 1pm – Sunshine Coast City Hall, Maroochydore
Details here
Bindal and Wulgurukaba Country / Townsville
Survival Day
January 26th, 5:30 – 3pm – Strand Park, Townsville
Details here
Gimuy / Cairns
Survival Day Knockouts Reconciliation Carnival
January 26th – 28th – Jones Park, Cairns
Details here
WA
Whadjuk Noongar Country / Boorloo / Perth
Invasion Day Protest
January 26th, 12pm – Forrest Chase, on Wellington Street in Perth
Details here
Yawuru Country / Broome
Rubibi Survival Day Concert
January 26th, 4 -12am – Goolarri Amphitheatre, Broome
Details here
SA
Kaurna Country / Tarntanyangga / Adelaide
Survival Day
January 26th, 11am – Victoria Square, Adelaide
Details here
ACT
Ngambri & Ngunnawal country / Canberra
Sovereignty Day Rally
January 26th, 9:30am – Garema Place, Canberra
Details here
NT
Gulumoerrigin / Larrakia / Darwin
Invasion Day Protest
January 26th, 8:30am – Civic Park, Darwin City
Details here
Smoking Ceremony
January 26th, 7:45am, Darwin Waterfront Lagoon
Details here
Online
Victorian NAIDOC Invasion Day Dawn Service Stream
January 26th, 6:15am
Details here
Survival Day Yarning Circle Webinar
January 25th, 1 – 2pm
Details here
Yabun Festival Livestream
January 26th, 10 – 6pm
Details here
Self Study
Chain Reaction #146 – Strong Blak Resistance
Resources for change beyond the referendum
Frontier Wars Stories Podcast, Hosted by Boe Spearim
Koori History Project Website, Created by Prof Gary Foley
The Killing Times: a massacre map of Australia’s frontier wars, The Guardian
History of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy
Timeline – Aboriginal Tent Embassy
Decolonising Solidarity – What can I do?
Some advice for white activists in Australia
Everyone calls themselves an ally until it is time to do some real ally shit
Quote from the Website Author: “Educate YOURSELF, then educate the people”
Conclusion from the Website Author: We look forward to seeing a powerful day of resistance and solidarity!
George Barham, an accomplished journalist and avid gambling enthusiast, serves as the esteemed Editor-in-Chief at fly-to-australia.com, Australia’s leading source for comprehensive gambling news and insights. With an unwavering passion for both the written word and the ever-evolving world of betting and gaming, George brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the helm of our editorial team.
