2026 Australia Day – Survival Day community event

Published on 19 January 2026

Mount Alexander Shire Council is inviting the community to come together for a free event to celebrate and acknowledge Australia Day – Survival Day.

The event will be held on Monday 26 January in Castlemaine’s Victory Park from 10.00am. It will include a Welcome to Country by Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Uncle Rick Nelson, a citizenship ceremony and the presentation of local Australia Day Awards.

The event will also include a Survival Day concert, programmed and hosted by Uncle Rick Nelson.

Mayor Toby Heydon said that Australia Day – Survival Day is a significant day in our community’s calendar.

“It’s an opportunity for us to come together to warmly welcome new citizens, to honour contributions of community members, and to recognise the deep history and ongoing survival of our First Nations community members.

“The event respects who we are as a shire – it’s inclusive and respectful and acknowledges truth and shared history.

“I encourage everyone to join us at Victory Park for a day of connection, celebration and community.”

In 2018, under the leadership of Dja Dja Wurrung Elders, Council decided to formally dual name events held on 26 January as Australia Day – Survival Day.

The renaming of the day recognises how celebrations on this day impact the First Nations community. It is one of the commitments Council has made to support reconciliation, which is outlined in its Reconciliation Plan 2023-2026.

In 2024, Council received a Maggolee Award from Reconciliation Victoria for its Australia Day – Survival Day community event.

Maggolee Awards celebrate and recognise strong partnerships between Victorian local governments and First Nations Peoples, and outstanding contributions to Reconciliation

Event details

When: Monday 26 January, 10.00am to 2.00pm (Survival Day concert from 12.00pm)
Where: Castlemaine Town Hall
Cost: Free
What to bring: Picnic blankets, sunscreen, water

The Survival Day concert line-up includes performances by:

• Amos Roach accompanied by Uncle Bart Willoughby and Shiralee Hood
• Culture Evolves
• JDro
• Crooked TP
• PALM Choir
• Nalderun Women's Cleansing Ceremony

Free catering will be provided by Konjo Mama, Icecream Republic and Castlemaine Rotary.

There will be an Auslan interpreter at this event.

For more information visit www.mountalexander.vic.gov.au/AustraliaDaySurvivalDay.

To watch the 2025 Survival Day concert performances, visit
www.youtube.com/MountAlexanderShireCouncil.

Photo by Diana Domonkos.