Australians mark Australia Day in more

ways than one

February 2026 An array of Australia Day festivities have taken place across the country — from a fun run in the north, to traditional dance and smoking rituals across all capital cities and ceremonies welcoming the country's newest citizens. January 26 — represents the date of British settlement in Australia, marking when the First Fleet arrived at Sydney Cove in 1788. Encouraging reflection, connection and respect, Adelaide's Mourning in the Morning was held at Elder Park on Kaurna country. The First Nations-led ceremony recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their culture and stories. It attracted about 3000 people. In Victoria, a crowd of political, multicultural and religious leaders converged at Government House, just south of the Melbourne CBD, on Australia Day ahead of an official flag-raising ceremony. Victorian Governor Margaret Gardner gave a speech about "times that try our souls", referencing the recent Bondi Beach terror attack, climate change concerns and global conflicts that she said had spilled into "discrimination and hatred on our shores". A number of Australia Day events also took place across regional Victoria, including in Torquay on Victoria's Surf Coast, where a large crowd gathered from 5:30am for the fourth annual Pilk Purriyn truth-telling event. A large crowd watch dancers perform in front of a beach and sunrise. Thousands came together as First Nations locals shared ceremonies, truth, reflections and music, according to the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Corporation. Aunty Colleen Howell, the daughter of a Stolen Generation survivor, shared her story through song and the event concluded with the crowd dancing to Yothu Yindi's hit track Treaty, to symbolise the historic treaty signed in Victoria's parliament last year. In the meantime, anti-immigration events were held on Australia Day across the country in major cities, with crowds ranging from a few dozen in some cities to hundreds in others. It was the third round of rallies under the March for Australia banner, with events in August and October last year attracting large crowds who called for an end to so-called mass immigration. A man was charged after he was arrested at a March for Australia anti-immigration rally in Sydney for alleged hate speech, while at a rally in Melbourne police are investigating an incident of racial abuse where a man allegedly performed a Nazi salute. Source: abc.net.au

Greek Tribune Adelaide, South Australia