On January 26, 2022, Australia celebrates Australia Day to commemorate the establishment of the first permanent European settlement on the continent of Australia.

The Colombo Plan Staff College wishes to its Australian brothers and sisters a joyous celebration of this day.

History and Celebrations

Captain Arthur Phillip, the first Governor of the colony of New South Wales, sailed into what is now Sydney Cove with a shipload of convicts and hoisted the British flag at the site on January 26, 1788 (Britannica, n.d.). The fledgling colony soon began to celebrate the anniversary of their arrival. The anniversary of their arrival was first called 'Foundation Day' during the early nineteenth century. It was celebrated through sporting events particularly horseracing and was replaced by regattas in the 1830s as it became more popular.

Australia's first public holiday was announced to celebrate Foundation Day in 1838, fifty years after Captain Phillip landed. In Sydney, January 26th was referred to as "First Landing Day", and celebrated with anniversary dinners and later an annual regatta on the harbor (Office Holidays, n.d.). January 26th was referred to with names including: “Anniversary Day,” “Foundation Day,” and “Australian Natives’ Association” (ANA) Day. It was only in 1935 that all Australian states and territories adopted “Australia Day” as the name of the celebration (National Today, n.d.).

In line with its 150th anniversary, January 26th was proclaimed as an official holiday in 1938. Then in 1988, January 26th became a national public holiday. To end the practice in some areas of celebrating the day on the closest Monday, an agreement was reached in 1994 that the holiday would be observed on the actual date (Britannica, n.d.). Hence, Australia Day is celebrated on Wednesday, January 26, 2022.

2022 Celebrations

Due to the surge and dangers of COVID’s new variant, Omicron, some events and traditions to celebrate Australia Day will be “downsized,” postponed, and even canceled on Australia Day 2022.

Queensland's flag-raising ceremony and citizenship ceremony will still be held in Townsville and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Governor Dr. Jeannette Young will still be guests of honor. However, attendance will be invitation-only and the event will be live-streamed for the first time in history. One of Brisbane's biggest Australia Day traditions, cockroach races at the Story Bridge Hotel will be postponed due to the Omicron outbreak. Toowoomba Regional Council has also endorsed invitation-only award presentations for the region's celebrations. While Brisbane City Council's Australia Day events are set to go ahead as planned, including its citizenship ceremony (Jones, 2022).

Australia Day Live outdoor concert at the Sydney Opera House, Ferrython on Sydney Harbour and wheelchair race in The Rocks will still be held on Australia Day 2022 as it is held at an open space and people could spread out to avoid being crowded in one place (Taylor, 2022). Ultimately, some of the events held on Australia Day will proceed in line with the latest state government health directives and advice according to a Brisbane council spokesperson. Furthermore, invasion Day rallies will be held across Queensland, including Brisbane (Jones, 2022).

To be able to monitor and be informed of the other celebrations to be held during the Australia Day 2022, the website by NSW Government (link: https://www.australiaday.com.au/) has all the information of the events to be held during the Australia Day 2022, it includes the history of the tradition/event, time, location, and precautions against COVID will be found on the website.

Photos

In 2019, hundreds gathered in Townsville for the Australia Day flag-raising ceremony, but this year it will be live-streamed. Photo Source: Jones, C. (2022, January 20). COVID-19 wave peak in Queensland to coincide with Australia Day public holiday – what does that mean for events? ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-21/qld-coronavirus-covid19-peak-australia-day-changes/100760690

A concert at the Sydney Opera House is one of the Australia Day events that will be staged by the NSW government. Photo Source: Taylor, A. (2022, January 22). Australia Day confusion as COVID surge causes cancellation of events. The Sydney Morning Herald. https://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-day-confusion-as-covid-surge-causes-cancellation-of-events-20220120-p59pvb.html

References

  1. Britannica. (n.d.). Australia Day | holiday. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved January 23, 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Australia-Day
  2. Jones, C. (2022, January 20). COVID-19 wave peak in Queensland to coincide with Australia Day public holiday – what does that mean for events? ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-01-21/qld-coronavirus-covid19-peak-australia-day-changes/100760690
  3. National Today. (2021, January 26). Australia Day - January 26, 2022. National Today. https://nationaltoday.com/australia-day/
  4. NSW Government. (n.d.). Australia Day in NSW - Australia Day 2021. Australia Day. Retrieved January 23, 2022, from https://www.australiaday.com.au/
  5. Office Holidays. (n.d.). Australia Day in Australia in 2022. Office Holidays. Retrieved January 23, 2022, from https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/australia/australia-day
  6. Taylor, A. (2022, January 22). Australia Day confusion as COVID surge causes cancellation of events. The Sydney Morning Herald. https://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-day-confusion-as-covid-surge-causes-cancellation-of-events-20220120-p59pvb.html