26 January: Change the Date

26 January can be a difficult time for many, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.  The date marks the anniversary of the day Britain’s First Fleet arrived in what we now call New South Wales. As such, this date marks the beginning of dispossession for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.  

Consequently, many people acknowledge and feel strongly that 26 January is not an appropriate day to hold national celebrations.  That is why, since 2020, Anglicare WA has given eligible staff the opportunity to ‘Change the Day’ by working on 26 January and substituting the public holiday for an alternate day. 
 
This initiative reflects our long-standing commitment to Reconciliation and the principles of truth-telling, deep listening, healing, and respecting Aboriginal Culture.  It is about all of us learning, unlearning, and relearning the true history of 26 January, and more broadly, the true history of Australia.  For example, 26 January had been proclaimed a ‘Day of Mourning’ since 1938 but only became a national public holiday in 1994. 

While 26 January can be a difficult time, it can also present an opportunity to create space for gutsy and courageous conversations, and to show up and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. 
 
Below are three things from Common Ground that you can do to support community and learn, unlearn, and relearn about 26 January: 

• Learn about and make space for truth-telling. Explore articles on our website under the theme "truth-telling." Learn about the first Day of Mourning in 1938. Ask your friends and family if they know what Country they're on to start meaningful conversations.  

• Write to your local council and tell them why January 26 is not a date to celebrate. Various communities across the continent are reimagining their January 26 ceremonies, or stopping them all together. Your local council could do the same! Think about what your local area could do to stand in solidarity with Traditional Owners on this day.  

• Check in on any First Nations people in your life. The lead-up to January 26 can be an exhausting and traumatic time for mob, as we are exposed to even more online racism. Buy your First Nations work friend a coffee, or see if there's anything you can take off their plate. Share posts created by First Nations people, or donate to First Nations campaigns and organisations. You can get creative when thinking about how you can support mob during this time! 

To learn more about Anglicare WA’s Reconciliation journey and STRETCH Reconciliation Action Plan, please click here. 

To learn more about our advocacy priority ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Recognition and Justice’, please click here.