Griffith Council to celebrate both Australia Day and Survival Day on 26 January

As 26 January becomes a focal point of cultural wars over how it should be celebrated, Griffith City Council is pleasing both sides of the debate by supporting two separate events on the day.

“Friday is a very special day in Griffith,” Mayor Doug Curran said. “At 10 am, we have the Australia Day awards and citizenship ceremony in the Regional Theatre. It’s a great chance to honour individuals and groups that have done so much good for our community and much wider.

“From 11 am to 4 pm, we have the Survival Day event at the Griffith Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre (GRALC), another great event that honours our First Nations people in our community with a great inclusive event.”

Survival Day is a celebration of Wiradjuri culture organised by the Griffith Local Aboriginal Land Council (GLALC) that was first held in 2022.

It is open to everyone and provides free entry to the pool, storytelling, traditional dancers, language, art and craft, an elders tent, singing performances, a DJ, face painting, a podcast speaking workshop, stalls, live radio broadcasts, a free barbecue and a dance competition. A free bus service will take people to and from the event.

“Survival Day is an opportunity to create awareness and share our stories, our knowledge, and our culture with the wider community. It’s a step forward in our healing, our journey, and our reconciliation as a whole nation,” GLALC says.

“Until the past is told, acknowledged, and accepted, then the true essence of reconciliation cannot be achieved.”

The council’s Australia Day awards recognise outstanding community contributions and excellence in sports.

Nine residents have been nominated for the top honour of Citizen of the Year, including Fred Hollows Foundation knitting fundraiser Beryl Paul, home-based chef Paris Floyd, newly elected community radio 2MIA president Jay Reynolds, housing advocate Sophie Bozic, veteran musician Pat Sergi, Salami-making king Ferruccio Fattore, cancer support advocate Grant Hearn and perennial volunteers Brian and Dot Peisley (together) and Dot O’Callaghan.

Each year, a celebrity from out of town is chosen as the awards ambassador. This year that honour will go to children’s author Susanne Gervay OAM. She will make a speech and present awards at the ceremony.

FULL LIST OF AUSTRALIA DAY AWARD NOMINEES

𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫

Jay Reynolds
Sophie Bozic
Paris Floyd
Beryl Paul
Pat Sergi
Ferruccio Fattore
Grant Hearn
Brian and Dot Peisley
Dot O’Callaghan

𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫

Madisyn Sarkis
Griffith Youth Advisory Group

𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫

Ema Munro

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫

Marrambidya Dance Group
Griffith Meals on Wheels Seniors Expo
Griffith ”Takes Two” Series 5
Share the Dignity PATL (Pad & Tampon Ladies) Griffith
Combined Schools Band & Griffith East Public School Band

𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫

Taine Moraschi
Johanna Munro
Jack Evans

𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫

Tomasi Caqusau
Timeeka Coleman
Nate Mingay
Lily Mathews
Ben Williment
Rose Turner
Reese Vidler
Mackenzie Hassan
Ata Junior Misi
Evalesi Taupeamuhu
Alexis Harrison

𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫

Griffith Junior Rugby Union U16s boys
Hanwood Football Club – 1st Grade
Griffith Junior Rugby Union U17s girls
Murrumbidgee Regional High Girls U16s Rugby Union side
Griffith Panthers Junior Rugby League Club U14s
Griffith Swans C Grade Netball Team
Griffith Basketball Association 16 Demons Rep Team
Yoogali Soccer Club – 1st Grade

𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫

Bernie Connolly
Andrew Sinclair
Michelle Fall
Ron Anson

More information on Australia Day and Survival Day can be found on the Griffith City Council Facebook page.