Herald Sun online poll shows support for January 26 Australia Day: List of Melbourne events

A huge 95 per cent of Herald Sun readers asked if they still wanted to celebrate Australia Day on January 26, said they did. It comes as debate rages over whether the date should be changed.

The overwhelming majority of Herald Sun readers want to celebrate Australia Day on January 26.

An online poll on the Herald Sun website found 95 per cent support among readers for keeping our national day unchanged, despite the increasing debate around changing the date.

Australia Day commemorates that on January 26, 1788, the first fleet landed at Sydney Cove, in NSW, and the Union flag was raised by Arthur Phillip.

The day was only declared a national public holiday in 1994 by then Prime Minister Paul Keating but was recognised by states from 1935 onwards.

State Opposition Leader John Pesutto said he would be celebrating Australia Day on January 26.

Asha Puthran and Pavan Bangalore Lakshmi Kantha Raju with their children Ved Pavan Puthran and Atharv Pavan Puthran are looking forward to Australia Day. Picture: Tony Gough

“I acknowledge it means different things to different people and is a cause of pain for many Indigenous Australians,” he said.

“However, I also believe it’s an opportunity to celebrate so many things that are great about Australia including our vibrant democracy, advanced economy and rich diversity as a nation.

“It’s also a day on which many people will officially become Australian citizens. As the son of migrants, I’m acutely aware of the wonderful opportunities Australia has given my family and many others like it and these are to be celebrated.”

Premier Jacinta Allan said, on Friday, that celebrations would occur in local communities across the state, despite the Australia Day parade in Melbourne’s CBD not occurring again this year.

“There are a huge number of local events, local events where local communities are coming together to mark Australia Day and mark it in a way that’s appropriate to that community,” she said.

“And this is an important point because there are some in our community for whom Australia Day is a difficult day, and there are events and activities in their local communities to support them.”

Independent Victorian Senator Lidia Thorpe said January 26 was a day of mourning for First Peoples and it’s a date that prevents everyone from celebrating together.

Senator Lidia Thorpe says it’s a day of mourning not celebration. Picture: Martin Ollman

“It’s heartening that each year more and more non-Indigenous people are hearing this message, and are coming together on the 26th to listen, learn, reflect, and find connection in solidarity with First Peoples,” she said.

“January 26 can and should be a day of reflection that we’re all part of and that brings us together as a nation, rather than a divisive day that some celebrate while First Peoples mourn.

“We could celebrate this country, which holds the ancient histories of the oldest living culture on the planet, on another day together. It could be the day that we become a republic, or a day to celebrate Treaties being signed with this country’s First Peoples.”

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said the City of Melbourne voted to lobby the Federal Government to change the date of Australia Day.

“Australia is a melting pot of cultures and peoples, and Melbourne is a shining example of this.”

“As a city for all people, we believe Australia Day should be held on a date that can be celebrated by everyone.”

However, City of Melbourne Councillor Roshena Campbell said she did not support any change to the date.

“Like most Australians I support Australia Day and am proud to celebrate it,” she said.

“I hope it stays our national day forever and for as long as it remains so it is our duty as councillors to support it.”

Sam Newman says January 26 should be celebrated. Picture: David Crosling

Sam Kekovich will be having a lamb barbie.

Former Australian rules legend and media personality Sam Kekovich said he would be celebrating Australia Day on January 26 by hosting a barbecue and inviting his mates over.

“I am a very proud Australian and I think we should all come together and have a nice lamb barbecue instead of all this divisiveness,” he said.

“Rejoicing about living in the best country on the planet is a good thing.”

Former footy star Sam Newman said he supported celebrating Australia Day.

“If you are a patriotic Australian, no matter what you think that means, you should celebrate Australia Day,” he said.

“We should pay respect to the people who were here before us and we should all unite and be part of this great nation.”