By Parker McKenzie
Belgrave Survival Day won’t be held on January 26 in 2023, with organisers choosing to move the event to Sunday 12 March.
The annual event, which was first held in 2008, celebrates the survival of Indigenous people, culture and heritage and has previously been held on Australia Day.
In a Facebook post, the Belgrave Survival Day page said the decision was not easy, but the significance of the date needs to be acknowledged.
“We feel Sunday March 12 offers greater opportunity for the local community’s involvement, in particular mob,” the post said.
“We acknowledge and understand Belgrave Survival Day is an important event for many people in our community and there may be disappointment with this decision.”
The event was started by locals in the hills and was first held on January 26, 2008. Burrinja Cultural Centre and Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place are partners for the event.
In the Facebook post, Belgrave Survival Day said the decision reflects the overwhelming response received from the local Indigenous community and partners who want the choice to acknowledge January 26th in their own way.
“We want to thank the staff at Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place, and the CEO at the time Less Chessells who enthusiastically came onboard as partners and have throughout the years shared their cultural knowledge, learning, support and spirit at each event,” it said.
“It is important for our deadly partners to have opportunities to engage in other events like supporting the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra and we feel as a Committee we need to honour and respect their choices.”
The post thanked proud Yorta Yorta and Bunerong Man Christopher Hume for performing the Smoking Ceremony and Acknowledgement in previous years and past committee members, volunteers, performers, artists, vendors and the community.
“To keep Belgrave Survival Day running we need you! Please come and join the Survival Day committee; have your say, help us work together with the Kulin Nation to keep this Festival strong.” it said.
The Belgrave Survival Day Committee was contacted for comment.
