Here’s Where Invasion Day Rallies Are Happening Near You In 2022
Be there if you can.
The anniversary of January 26 signals the beginning of the invasion, colonisation, slavery, and genocide of so-called Australia.
For Indigenous people, this is an emotional day of mourning and commemorating the survival of elders past and present, and for everyone else, it should be a day for standing in solidarity and for truly listening to the traditional owners of the land we stand upon today.
Unfortunately, we live in a country in which many people still use this day to celebrate colonisation and until the Australian Government acknowledges this, January 26 continues to be a day in which thousands of First Nations people and their allies will rally against celebrating colonisation on a day that represents so much trauma.
COVID Safety
As we continue to record thousands of COVID cases nationwide every day, it’s important to make sure you’re safe and in line with government regulations if you’re heading to an Invasion Day rally in 2022.
All events are being held in accordance with COVID-19 safety guidelines, which means all attendees must wear a mask, practice social distancing wherever possible and — obviously — don’t attend if you’ve tested positive or have COVID symptoms.
Invasion Day Events 2022
This will be updated as more information comes to hand.
VIRTUAL EVENT — Victorian NAIDOC presents ‘2022 Invasion Day Dawn Service’
NSW
Gadigal Country — Sydney — Gather at Town Hall at 10am for a march to Victoria Park via the Day of Mourning site on Elizabeth St.
Gadigal Country — Sydney — Yabun Festival from 11am.
Awabakal Country — Newcastle – Day of Mourning Markets – Day of mourning, markets, mini-concert and beach rugby at Customs House Hotel Fountain – Foreshore Park from 10am. Traditional smoking ceremony, welcome to country, music and speeches from 10am before a short march to Nobby’s Beach for market stalls, rugby and a free sausage sizzle.
Wiradjuri Country — Griffith — Survival Day from 12pm at 5 Wayeela St.
VIC
Naarm – Melbourne — Chasing Ghost ‘Survival Day’ gig – 7:30pm, Wednesday 26 January — The Espy, St Kilda. “Aboriginal led punk rock band Chasing Ghosts is teaming up with Yorta Yorta rocker Scott Darlow in what is set to be a massive co-headline show, supported by special guest First Nations artist KIAH.”
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung — Essendon — Bunjil’s Marroun Healing Ceremony from 5pm at Woodlands Park, Essendon.
Wadawurrung Country — Ballarat – Dawn ceremony at Lake Wendouree from 5:30am.
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung — Merri Creek — Talking Merri Birrarung 6-7pm, where the Merri Creek flows into the Yarra River.
Yaluk-ut Weelam of the Boon Wurrung — St Kilda — 5:45am-7am mourning reflection ceremony at Alfred Square, St Kilda.
Wurundjeri Country — Belgrave — Survival Day ceremony ONLINE
Boon Wurrung — Glen Eira — Koori Chill Out from 5:30pm at Booran Reserve
Bunarong Country — Mount Martha — Survival Day event from 12pm at The Briars, 450 Nepean Highway, Mount Martha
Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung — Malvern — Healing Ceremony at 11:45am at Malvern Cricket Ground.
Dja Dja Wurrung Country — Castlemaine — Survival Day from 10am-1:30pm at Victory Park, Castlemaine.
Millewa-Mallee — Mildura — Survival Day march from Langtree Mall to Murray River from 3pm.
QLD
Yuggera Country/Meanjin — Brisbane – 7:15am Survival Day ceremony at the Bronze Canoe, near Simpson’s Playground.
Yuggera Country/Meanjin — Brisbane — Gather at Parliament House at 9am to march to Musgrave Park for speeches, music and food. Hosted by Yuggera peoples.
Bindal and Wulgurukaba Country — Townsville — LIVESTREAMED
SA
Kaurna Country — Adelaide – Opening ceremony at Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga at 12:30 before a march departing at 1pm.
WA
Whadjuk Country/Boorloo — Perth — Gather at Forrest Place at 12pm for speeches before a march through the streets of Perth at 2pm.
ACT
Ngunnawal Country — Canberra — Aboriginal Tent Embassy 50th anniversary from 10am.
Ngunnawal Country — Canberra — Muslims of Australia Standing in Solidarity 50 Years of Resisting Aboriginal Tent Embassy at 9am at Parliament House.
TAS
Lutruwita Country — Tasmania — Online rally from 11:45am.
Can’t Make It To An Invasion Day Rally But Want To Support From Home?
Whether you have COVID, you’re in close contact isolation, or you just otherwise can’t make it out to a rally IRL on January 26, there are other ways to support the cause from afar.
For starters, you can educate yourself by watching NITV’s coverage of the live events (and just watching their coverage year-round to keep up to date and informed). You can also share helpful information and content from First Nations people on social media, support an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander business and/or donate your penalty rates (if you’re working on January 26).
If you have friends or relatives who are planning on attending or throwing an “Australia Day” party, you can also share resources with them and educate them on why it’s not a date to celebrate. You can also check out 20 ways you can support Indigenous people on January 26 (and every other day of the year), and read about how to be a good ally.
Where You Can Donate
There are countless organisations doing great work to help the Indigenous community in a variety of different ways. Here is a non-exhaustive list of just some of those organisations with donation links.
Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW and ACT)
Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement (SA)
VALS (Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (QLD)
Black Rainbow (Indigenous LGBTIQ support)
Blak Business (Linktree with numerous current causes in need of support)
Change The Record (Addressing the root cause of Indigenous incarceration)
Djirra (Domestic violence against women)
Healing Foundation (Addressing trauma from colonisation)
Literacy For Life Foundation (Indigenous-run literacy initiative)
Sisters Inside (Supports incarcerated women)
Photo: WILLIAM WEST/AFP via Getty Images