‘It’s more than a place’: Survival Day organiser Natasha Wanganeen fears for event’s future after Tour Down Under Victoria Square clash

The future of the annual Survival Day march in SA hangs in the balance after a date clash with a major SA event.

Each year thousands gather in the heart of the CBD for the annual Survival Day March but organisers fear there won’t be one next year because of a date clash with the Tour Down Under.

In recent years, the march up King William Street has started at Tarntanyangga (Victoria Square) on January 26, which is recognised as a day of mourning for many First Nations people, but will host the Tour Down Under’s 25th celebrations instead.

The Tour Down Under falls in mid January each year and has always taken place in Victoria Square with both groups working alongside each other in the past.

Activist and actress Natasha Wanganeen organises the annual march in SA. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

However, Survival Day organiser and actress Natasha Wanganeen said it was disappointing to be kicked out of the square which holds great significance as a traditional Kaurna meeting place.

“It’s always been a gathering place for our people, a long time before this city was even thought of that’s where our mob came together,” she said.

“It’s not about locations. It’s about what that spot means to us.

“How does a 25 year anniversary of a bicycle race override 250,000 years plus of history and culture and fighting for our rights in that spot?”

The 2025 Tour Down Under will wrap up in Tarntanyangga (Victoria Square). Picture: Brett Hartwig

The dates of the Tour Down Under change each year with the 2025 race taking place from January 17 to 26, clashing with Survival Day.

The Tour Down Under have booked the square for the final day which will act as the starting place for the final CBD race, meaning the usual march won’t be able to take place.

But the Tour Down Under has “absolutely no intention of preventing” Survival Day activities, a South Australian Tourism Commission spokeswoman said.

“We acknowledge the deep and continuing connection South Australia’s Aboriginal community has to Tarntanyangga as well as the significance of January 26,” she said.

“We are working with community members to find a resolution as we continue planning for TDU 2025.”

A spokesperson for City of Adelaide said “we can confirm receipt of an application from Tour Down Under (TDU) to utilise Victoria Square / Tarntanyangga for the Tour Village in 2025.”

“Council is committed to assisting TDU and Survival Day organisers in their discussions, in the hope both activities can occur,” the spokesperson said.

“The City of Adelaide has strongly supported both events over many years and is keen to see both parties reach an agreement.”

A spokesperson for SAPOL said that they would continue to “work with all event organisers to provide a safe and peaceful environment for all events undertaken on that day.”

More than 5,000 people attended this year’s march. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

Survival Day marches take place in every state and territory each year with more than 5000 turning up for this year’s SA event.

With the future of the SA march hanging in the balance, Ms Wanganeen said it would be a disgrace if it didn’t happen next year.

“If they’re gonna go to these lengths to shut us down on the biggest day of our blak calendars, it’s an insult,” Ms Wanganeen said.

“If every city around the country is going to be having marches, and we don’t because of a bike race, it will send a very bad message.”

A meeting will be held at Tauondi College on Saturday for the Kaurna community to discuss their concerns about the event.

Originally published as ‘It’s more than a place’: Survival Day organiser Natasha Wanganeen fears for event’s future after Tour Down Under Victoria Square clash