City of Canning Mayor Hall has described Australia Day as a “mess” and is calling on the federal government to make a clear decision on the date, to end the split between local councils and allow for a more unified celebration.
In a Facebook post, Mayor Hall criticised the lack of consistency in how Australia Day is observed across the country, claiming the federal government has failed to provide clear direction.
“For a society to exist cohesively, it needs firm guidance and it needs its elected leadership to act decisively,” he said.
“The absence of those attributes sows the seeds of division – and in more recent times we have witnessed that division on January 26 each year.”
January 26 marks the date in 1788 when the British First Fleet sailed into Port Jackson, commonly known as Sydney Harbour, establishing a settlement that shaped the nation’s colonial history.
For many, especially Indigenous Australians, January 26 is considered a day of mourning, observed as Invasion Day or Survival Day, marking the beginning of British colonisation.
On January 26, 1938, marking the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet, the first prominent protest against the celebrations, known as the Day of Mourning, was held at the Australian Hall in Sydney.
Although celebrations have been held on this date in some form and in some states since 1935, it only officially became a fixed national public holiday in all Australian jurisdictions in 1994.
After years of debate spanning decades, multiple governments, and several prime ministers, the federal government made a minor change in 2022, allowing councils to hold citizenship ceremonies up to three days before or after Australia Day.
This change has led to different councils adopting varied approaches to how the day is celebrated or marked.
Reconciliation WA is a not-for-profit organisation providing leadership, advocacy, and support to individuals and organisations advancing reconciliation efforts across Western Australia.
The organisation recognises that, as with any community, there is a diversity of views within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities regarding January 26, but is calling for a change to the date, not the day.
“Some view the day as an opportunity to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ survival as the longest continuing culture on earth within the story of the modern Australian nation,” they said.
“For many, January 26 is not a day for celebration, but instead the beginning of an unlawful invasion with devastating impacts still felt by Aboriginal communities.”
“We support #ChangeTheDate, so that the national day of celebration can include all Australians.”
While the City of Canning will be holding an Australia Day Family Fun Day at the Shelley Beach Foreshore, other local councils, such as Bassendean, Belmont, Bayswater, Cambridge, Fremantle, Mosman Park, Nedlands, Peppermint Grove, Victoria Park, and Vincent, have chosen to observe Australia Day on a different date.
Mayor Hall said he believes it’s not his role to try to convince anyone of the value or virtues of celebrating Australia Day, and he will be at Shelley Beach Park on January 26, showing his gratitude for the life that Australia has given him.
“Personally, I believe that it is important for Australia to celebrate its achievements, acknowledge our past, and to be proud of how far we have advanced as a nation over the past 250 years.” – Mayor Patrick Hall.
“Here at the City of Canning we will be celebrating Australia Day – on Australia Day, and that celebration will be promoted as Australia Day, not a ‘Family Fun Day’ or a ‘Community Day’ or any other label created to disguise the true meaning of the day,” he added.
Mayor Hall’s comments follow news that the City of Subiaco and the Town of Cottesloe are the latest local councils set to poll ratepayers later this year to help decide whether to continue or change the date of their citizenship ceremonies.
The cities of Rockingham and Wanneroo, following a resident survey, decided to revert their celebrations back to January 26 this year.
Closer to home, the City of Gosnells will still be holding its annual Australia Day Big Breakfast at the Centennial Pioneer Park Amphitheatre, and the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale will host the SJ Sounds of Summer in Byford.
Due to the impact of the Metronet Byford Rail Extension works, the City of Armadale made the decision to cancel its annual Australia Day 2025 event, as planned work will block access to many areas, preventing a large public gathering in and around Minnawarra Park and Armadale Road.
