Richard Fejo encourages Territorians to enjoy Festival of Us on Australia Day 2025

For Larrakia man Richard Fejo, Australia Day is about ‘all Australians’. With a popular local event making a return in 2025, Mr Fejo expects Territorians will enjoy what’s in store.

Australia Day Council NT chief executive Anna McDonald (bottom left) and Australia Day Council NT Chair Richard Fejo (bottom right).

For Larrakia man Richard Fejo, Australia Day is about “all Australians” and recognising the many cultures which are woven into the nation’s identity.

In the same week in which more than two hundred pubs across the nation sparked outrage after banning Australia Day festivities, Mr Fejo – who serves as chair of Australia Day Council NT – announced the popular Festival of Us event would return to Darwin in 2025.

“Australia Day is about all Australians, and we need to recognise that all Australians come from various locations around the world,” he told this publication.

“And I think that when we come together, there’s a lot of beauty across many cultures.

“As a Larrakia traditional owner, we are all about community, and when we have different cultures coming to our community it actually broadens our world view and our experiences.”

Congolese community members will enjoy at the Festival of Us next year. Picture: Harry Brill.

Mr Fejo said the fourth instalment of the Festival of Us underscored the event’s popularity

“We want participation from the community, so get off the couch, come down and have a great time,” he said.

“(There will be) so many people, new experiences, tastes, fashion, film – all kinds of things.”

Darwin's Cambodian Association will also be represented at the event. Picture: Harry Brill.

The day will involve two events, starting with a Welcome to Country and Oz Run at the Darwin Waterfront followed by a packed program of events at the Territory Netball Stadium.

This includes a multicultural market, workshops, and plenty of entertainment provided by the Top End’s wide range of cultural associations.

Australia Day Council NT chief executive Anna McDonald said there would be “something for everybody”, including sports and family-friendly games.

“There’ll be a free community dinner at the end of the day for everybody to enjoy musical performances across the day,” she said.

“As well as video games, card games, craft, and karaoke.”

Arrkula Yinbayarra (Together We Sing) will perform at the Festival of Us event. Source: Arrkula Yinbayarra.

Special guests include the women of Arrkula Yinbayarra (Together We Sing), who will be travelling from the remote Gulf of Carpentaria to bring their vocal talent to the stage in a variety of critically endangered languages.

Further, social inclusion advocate Rana Hussain, who has worked with the Richmond Football Club, Nike, Puma and Cricket Australia, will also be speaking.

Mr Fejo said he was “extremely proud” of how well the Territory platformed its many communities.

“We love the multiculturalism feel here in the Northern Territory,” he said.
“I think we do it better than any other place to be honest.”