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Australia Day Events 2017 – 26/01/2017
Australia Day Events 2017 – The official National Day of Australia is known as Australia Day. Celebrated every year on the 26th of January, it is a reminder of the arrival of the first British Ships arriving at Port Jackson, New South Wales and the raising of the Union Jack at Sydney Cove by Governor Arthur Phillips. This was in 1788. The day also goes by other names and nicknames, such as “Anniversary Day”, “Foundation Day” and “ANA Day”.
While Australia Day is marked as a national and state public holiday, it was not until 1935 that all Australian states and territories used the term ‘Australia Day’ to mark the date. It was only in 1994 that all states and territories began consistently celebrating the holiday. The national day is not a restricted day, but most shops and retail outlets may have reduced operating hours, so it is important to get your supplies early.
Australia Day Events 2017
In modern times, ANA Day has been used by the people to celebrate their diverse society and landscape and remarkable achievements while hoping for an even brighter future in the days that lay ahead. Numerous cities all over the country hold free events and fireworks displays to wow and amaze the event. In Perth for example, local businesses have come together to fund and stage a four day ‘Freo Fiesta’ starting on the 26th that will include fireworks over the fish harbor. Perth will also hold its annual ‘Skyworks’ fireworks display, in addition to the Birak concert that celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and communities.
Other events planned for the public holiday include awarding thousands of people with Australian citizenship. In Wannernoo, 800 residents will receive citizenship on this auspicious day. The holiday is also marked by the presentation of the Australian of the year award on Australian Day Eve, announcement of the Australian Days Honors list as well as addresses from the Governor-General and the Prime Minister.
Australia Day Events 2017 – Survival Day
Indigenous Australian events are also celebrated and/or protested on this day. These include indigenous groups and other people sympathetic to their cause protesting the 26th of January as the day of Invasion or “Survival Day”.
Australia Day Events 2017 – Melbourne
Cities like Melbourne have a host of events lined up, including the Australia Day Parade from 11am to midday, Swanston Street. Thereafter, there will be the RACV Australia Day Festival in Kings Domains Gardens at St Kilda Road. You can expect free family activities and a show of vintage and classic cars, including a free concert by children’s entertainer Justine Clarke and a show on the city skyline courtesy of the Royal Australian Air Force Roulettes.
| 9:30 am – 3:30 pm | Australia Day at Government House Government House, Melbourne |
| 10:30 am – 11:00 am | Official Flag Raising Ceremony Melbourne Town Hall, Melbourne VIC |
| 11:00 am – 12:00 pm | Australia Day Parade Swanston Street Melbourne, Melbourne VIC |
| 11:00 am – 4:00 pm | RACV Australia Day Festival in Kings Domain Gardens Kings Domain Gardens, Melbourne VIC |
| 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm | Flag Lowering Ceremony Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne VIC |
| 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm | Australia Day at Docklands Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, Docklands VIC |
Australia Day Events 2017 – Sydney
The city of Sydney will have an Invasion day rally at The Block in Redfern, organized by the Coalition ‘Fighting in Resistance Equally’ (FIRE). At Parramatta Park, a 15 hour celebration starting at 6am with a hot air balloon display will officially kick off. It will end with a Fireworks display at 9pm.
Australia Day Events 2017 – Canberra
Canberra hosts some key events that year after year punch above the cities weight in quality terms:
| 7:30am – 10:00am | ActewAGL’s Great Aussie Day Breakfast proudly presented by ACT Government and Canberra Milk | Commonwealth Park |
| 7:30am – 8:30am | Sing Australia | Commonwealth Park |
| 8:15am – 8:35am | Hoot and Hootabelle’s Owl Pal Playdate! | Commonwealth Park |
| 9:00am | Woolworths ACT Australia Day Ambassadors 2017 awarded pins | Commonwealth Park |
| 9:30am – 9:50am | Hoot and Hootabelle’s Owl Pal Playdate! | Commonwealth Park |
| 10:00am – 10:25am | Flag Raising, Flyover & 21 Gun Salute | Rond Terrace |
| 10:25am – 11:00am | Citizenship Ceremony | Rond Terrace |
| 12:00pm – 2:30pm | Australia Day Regatta | Canberra Yacht Club |
| 12:30pm – 1:20pm | National Carillon Concert | National Carillon |
| 4:00pm – 4:05pm | Australia Day Concert presented by the ACT Government | Regatta Point |
| 4:05pm – 4:25pm | Welcome to Country & Smoking Ceremony | Regatta Point |
| 4:25pm – 4:45pm | Choir of Hard Knocks | Regatta Point |
| 4:45pm – 5:05pm | Australians of the Year | Regatta Point |
| 5:05pm – 5:35pm | Young Monks | Regatta Point |
| 5:35pm – 5:50pm | MC | Regatta Point |
| 5:50pm – 6:45pm | Hands Like Houses | Regatta Point |
| 6:45pm – 7:00pm | Flyover and aerial display | Regatta Point |
| 7:00pm – 7:45pm | British India | Regatta Point |
| 7:45pm – 8:15pm | MC | Regatta Point |
| 8:15pm – 8:55pm | British India | Regatta Point |
| 8:55pm – 9:00pm | MC | Regatta Point |
| 9:00pm – 9:15pm | Fireworks Spectacular | Regatta Point |
In conclusion, you can expect a lot of outdoor concerts, community barbecues, sport competitions, festivals and fireworks on 26th January 2017.
