Port Adelaide strengthens support for date change, Crows release statement on Australia Day

Two of SA’s biggest sporting powerhouses have revealed their position on Australia Day, as more than 1000 protesters prepare to hit the CBD.

SA’s two biggest sporting clubs have weighed in on the Australia Day debate, with the Power’s stance on changing the date stronger than ever.

In a statement released on Friday, Port Adelaide said its board, staff and players supported changing the date, with the club “wholeheartedly committed to reconciliation”.

“The Port Adelaide Football club acknowledges our First Nations people’s continuous connection to these lands for more than 60,000 years, and that the 26th of January represents a day of immense sadness and sorrow for many in our community,” the Power said.

“We look forward to a time when all Australians can celebrate our nation on a day everyone can feel proud, included and unified.

“The Port Adelaide Football club respects that everyone has the right to their own views.

“The board, staff and players of the Port Adelaide Football Club support changing the date.”

The Adelaide Crows took a broader brush to the debate, releasing a statement saying the club “recognises that today triggers various emotions and perspectives within our community”.

“For numerous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing pain and suffering endured by their peoples,” the Crows’ statement said.

“As a club, we express our solidarity with First Nations peoples. We will continue to educate ourselves, listen and learn from First Nations peoples and do better.

“We also respect everyone’s right to choose how they reflect on today.

“Our club remains committed to reconciliation and a united future.”

The statements come after both Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins and his vice-captain Steve Smith called for the date of Australia Day celebrations to be changed.

On Friday morning, former Port Adelaide player and musician Marlon Motlop said he hoped to see the “conversation shift” around January 26, likening the date to a “party you’re not invited to”.

“Essentially, there’s been a party going on ever since I’ve been alive, and we’ve not been included,” Motlop told Nova’s Jodie and Haysey.

“It’s like going to a barbecue and everyone’s talking and having a discussion, but you’re not allowed to speak in the discussion because you don’t feel included – that’s what it feels like as an Aboriginal person.

“We’re seeing a lot of organisations and a lot of the community opting out of having celebrations on that day, which is which is great to hear.

“It’s got to shift, the way that we talk about Jan 26 ... within our homes, at our dinner tables, with our families and with our young people so, in five to 10 years’ time, we see some significant change around the country.”

More than 1000 demonstrators are expected to flood Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga in the CBD from 11am on Friday as Survival Day protests kick off across the country.

In a Facebook event for the protest, organisers have called for South Australians to “come together and celebrate the oldest living continuing culture on planet Earth”.

We acknowledge that we are one country with many cultures. But no culture has a longer history or deeper connection with the land than Aboriginal people.

Along with many South Australians, we acknowledge this at the Mourning in the Morning smoking ceremony at Elder Park. pic.twitter.com/34ZJzew339

— Peter Malinauskas (@PMalinauskasMP) January 25, 2024

On Friday morning, Premier Peter Malinauskas attended the annual Mourning in the Morning smoking ceremony at Elder Park.

“We acknowledge that we are one country with many cultures. But no culture has a longer history or deeper connection with the land than Aboriginal people,” Mr Malinauskas said.

Unexpected heavy rain across Adelaide forced the cancellation of Australia Day events on Thursday night, with the Aus Lights on the River event at 5pm and the Twilight Reflections event at 7.30pm both scrapped due to wild weather.

Originally published as Port Adelaide strengthens support for date change, Crows release statement on Australia Day