By Tanya Steele
Belgrave Survival Day has announced its annual community event for Sunday 3 March this year.
The annual event celebrates Australian Indigenous People’s survival, culture and heritage and was begun by a small group of hills residents in 2008.
Belgrave Survival Day committee member Andrew Pawley said the theme for this year’s event will take on the theme “Always”.
“It invites everyone to focus on what this means for us all past, present and future,” he said.
2024 is the second year in which the event will take place later in the year and not land on 26 January.
Mr Pawley said the event has moved for a number of reasons based around practicality, suitability and self determination.
“Many First Nations people are on physical, emotional and spiritual overload around January 26,” he said.
“Whilst Sunday 3 March is not a historical date, it is a date in which First Nations and Non-First Nation people can come together to celebrate the continuing importance of First Nations culture.”
The event itself will be open to all and include a traditional smoking ceremony, food and performances throughout the day.
Mr Pawley said that planning for the event is ongoing and that the event has evolved over the years.
“We’ve been through changes with Covid, we’ve had to morph quite a bit in Covid time. We did an online event where we had a cut-down event with speakers and music,” he said.
“One year we ran a film night event at the Cameo.”
Mr Pawley initially engaged with Belgrave Survival Day as a community member then went on to both volunteer and become part of the committee.
“We get a great many people who are return visitors, it’s the type of event that local people have been able to attend,” he said.
Businesses in the Yarra Ranges have continued to come out this year in support of changing the date by staying open on Australia Day.
Burrinja Chief Executive Officer Gareth Hart said that in 2023 Burrinja made an active decision to remain open to the public on 26 January.
“We understand that this is a very complex day for many people in the community – particularly with conversations escalating around ‘change the date’ and ‘not a date to celebrate’,” they said.
“In solidarity with our First Nations communities, and after deep consideration, the Burrinja executive team have decided to open the Centre on January 26 moving forward.
“We hope this provides a moment to reflect upon the meaning of this day for the whole community. As always, Burrinja is honoured to open its doors, the centre which resides on Wurundjeri country. We are humbled by the leadership of all First Nations communities.”
Ren Cuttriss, local radio 3MDR’s Engagement Coordinator said 3MDR supports First Nations Peoples in their fight to change the date and acknowledges that 26 January is not a date to celebrate.
“We see ourselves as community allies and are led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and actions in respect to all conversations and events surrounding January 26. As such, 3MDR was open as usual on January 26 and will be attending Belgrave Survival Day on Sunday March 3,” she said.
The Belgrave Survival Day group recently stated via its Facebook group that “Belgrave Survival Day is over 15 years old, which is an amazing achievement in this space, with the conversations being had, the changes being made, the communities being created but still so much work to be done.”
“As Allies, this Community and Event have stood proud, strong, respectfully and with determination – side by side with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community,” the post read.
“The 2024 Committee has many new and energetic people to take the event, the conversation and the commitment to walking in allyship – side by side – with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people forward and be louder, prouder advocates for positive change.”
Belgrave Survival Day will be held on Sunday 3 March at Borthwick Park at 39 Benson Street, Belgrave 3160.
