January 26 - Pause. Listen. Learn.
Australia’s story is shaped by many voices and lived experiences. At Community Resources, January 26 is a time to reflect and learn together.
What happened on January 26?
January 26 marks the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 and the beginning of British colonisation in Australia. For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, this date is associated with loss of land, culture and autonomy. This is why you may hear January 26 referred to as “Invasion Day” or “Survival Day”.
The day carries many stories
For some families and communities, January 26 is a public holiday and a time to celebrate.
For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, it is a day of grief, survival and truth-telling.
For others, it sits somewhere in between – with whilst reflecting on how reflection on how we we move forward together.
Why we talk about it
January 26 is an opportunity to pause, listen and learn. We don’t need to have all the answers. But we each have a simple and important role – in our workplaces and personal lives – to make space for different experiences and to keep learning.
What you can do
Pause: Take time to think about what the day means for you and those around you.
Listen: If a colleague, friend or neighbour wants to share their thoughts about the day, listen respectfully and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Learn: Read something new about the history and why it matters.
If we can do these three things with genuine respect and openness, then we’re well on our way to building a better, safer, more inclusive future.
Learn more
Read more about the history of the day: https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/explainer-what-is-australia-actually-commemorating-on-january-26/nrid9kpf4
Quick January 26 explainer from Reconciliation Australia: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Lets-Talk...January-26.pdf
Find events in support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: https://antar.org.au/issues/survival-day/events-listing/
Share your feedback
We know these conversations can be complex and personal.
If you’d like to share feedback on how we acknowledge January 26 as a workplace, you can do so anonymously here:
Your feedback helps us keep our communications respectful, inclusive and useful.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Australia and recognise the continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to Elders past and present. We walk together towards healing.
