Australia Day

Australia Day is observed on January 26 to mark the arrival of the “First Fleet” of ships to Sydney from Britain in 1788. This day, called by critics as “Invasion Day” or “Survival Day”, is controversial as it commemorates the beginning of dispossession of Australia’s indigenous community.  There is growing demand to change this date from January 26 to May 9 – to honour the opening of Australia’s first parliament and the formation of Commonwealth of Australia.