In 2024, about 20 of our non-Indigenous volunteers ran an education stall at Mollymook Beach during the ‘Australia Day’ markets sharing thousands of free stickers and 500 pamphlets with adults. We talked with hundreds of people about how to consider another perspective on ‘Australia Day’ with empathy and kindness. It was important to the Aboriginal members of Walking Together that allies showed up on this first significant national date after the tragic outcome of the 2023 referendum. 

We are hosting something similar in 2025 - so keep an eye out on the event page for that.

Did you know? January 26th has been a Day of Mourning for a long time. From the outset of colonisation, First Nations protests took many forms, including protesting and boycotting Foundation Day celebrations in the colony of New South Wales. These protests finally captured the attention of wider Australian society through the 1938 Day of Mourning protest in Sydney, organised by the Aborigines Progressive Association (APA). The 1838 Day of Mourning protest in Sydney brought the nation’s attention to the fact that First Nations People mark 26 January as a Day of Mourning. A dignified protest took place in Sydney. 1000+ people silently marched through Sydney. They announced a new newspaper The Abo Call to give them a voice, and published a Ten Point Plan for changes to laws, policies and practices affecting them. The Ten Point Plan was given to the Government. APA leaders met with the Prime Minister for hours. The Government didn’t address the Ten Point Plan though many of its excellent recommendations still apply today.