26th January marked in many ways
 

February 2020

Leading Melbourne's Australia Day parade was a "very emotional, huge honour" for members of the Mallacoota fire brigade who travelled from the fire-devastated far east of the state for the event.
Australia Day celebrations and citizenship ceremonies were held across the country on Saturday, alongside 'Invasion Day' rallies.
The Mallacoota fire truck was at the head of the Melbourne procession, drawing cheers from tens of thousands of people along the route.
The bushfires have destroyed 123 homes in the Mallacoota area so far this fire season.
"It was very emotional, a huge honour, especially seeing the crowd, the appreciation that came from that and of course the smiles and waves we got from our bosses," Mallacoota fire brigade captain Rod Lewis said.
"For the first time ever I felt really proud.
Around the country, hundreds of people were recognised through the Australia Day honours list for their contribution to the community on a local, state and national scale.
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Eye surgeon James Muecke received the Australian of the Year award for his work preventing blindness.
While many celebrated Australia Day, a significant number of Australians who regard the day as the beginning of colonial oppression staged protest events.
Tens of thousands of people gathered for Invasion Day rallies in the nation's capital cities including Sydney, where demonstrators congregated in a packed Hyde Park.
January 26 marks the anniversary of the First Fleet's arrival in Port Jackson, New South Wales.

Greek Tribune