Australia is a melting pot of cultures and peoples, and Melbourne is a shining example of this.
We are home to people from 160 cultural backgrounds, who speak 150 languages and practice 80 faiths – including our city’s Aboriginal people who represent the oldest continuing living culture in the world.
This diversity is one of our greatest strengths as a city – making us more inclusive, vibrant and welcoming.
As a city for all people, we believe Australia Day should be held on a date that can be equally celebrated by everyone.
We acknowledge a growing number of people have come to understand the complex relationship many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have with 26 January – the anniversary of British colonists raising the Union Flag at Sydney Cove.
It’s why Council voted to advocate to the Federal Government to change the date of Australia Day. This followed an independent survey of City of Melbourne residents and business owners that showed majority of support for the move from both these surveyed groups.
This 26 January, we celebrated Aboriginal culture with a showcase of brilliant Indigenous acts at the free Share the Spirit Festival at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.
You can also discover more of Melbourne’s rich Aboriginal culture by exploring the Aboriginal Mapping toolOpens in new tab and visiting significant sites across our city at any time.
We’re also set to welcome more people to our great city at our citizenship ceremony at Melbourne Town Hall.
There is so much to celebrate about Australia and we’re asking for a date that includes everyone. It’s as simple – and important – as that.
