Belgrave’s Survival Day committee members Emma Davies, Jordan Crook and Joanna Mogilewska are putting the final touches on organising the day. 41653 Picture: Nigel Clements
By Tania Martin
IT’S time again to celebrate what it means to be an Aussie.
On Tuesday hundreds of people across the country will celebrate the nation’s pride.
Belgrave will again host its Survival Day festival, celebrating indigenous culture both internationally and locally.
Wurundjeri elder Aunty Dot Peters will open the ceremony with a welcome to country shortly after 10am on Tuesday 26 January.
There will be plenty to keep everyone entertained including Kutcha Edwards and band, children’s performer Sparkleland with Healesville’s traditional dance troupe will keep the crowd entertained.
Singer-songwriter Judith Durham and Kutcha Edwards will perform a contemporary version of the national anthem which has been written in the spirit of reconciliation.
Durham said although Australia Day was time to celebration not everyone would be commemorating the same thing.
“I think non-indigenous Australians are celebrating a sense of our own identity in the world and our place on the world stage, while indigenous people are celebrating the fact that they have life at all – their own existence in their own land after having been invaded,” she said.
Survival Day will be held at Belgrave’s Cameo Outdoor Cinema, 1628 Burwood Highway, from 10am to 3pm.
Yarra Ranges residents will also be recognised on Tuesday with the shire’s annual Australia Day awards, which will be held at Mont De Lancey Historic Homestead at 2pm but is by initiation only.
A citizenship ceremony will also be held at the homestead earlier in the day from 10.30am.
In Cockatoo celebrations will kick start from 8am at the Alma Treloar Reserve with a traditional Australia Day breakfast.
The breakfast will be followed by an awards ceremony and even a game of cricket on the oval.
Cardinia Shire Council’s awards will be held at the Cardinia Cultural Centre from 11am and will be followed by a citizenship ceremony, family barbecue and festivities.
