5 January 2022

Respectful celebration the theme of Australia Day 2022 in the Capital

| Max O'Driscoll
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Australian flag, Australian Aboriginal Flag, Torres Strait Islander flag.

Australia Day 2022 in the ACT will be about celebrating the cultural diversity of modern Australia. Photo: Michelle Kroll.

“Reflect, respect and celebrate” is the mantra for Australia Day celebrations in the ACT for 2022, with the ACT Government encouraging Canberrans to come together as a community to reflect on the “Australian experience” in its entirety.

Festivities will centre around Lake Burley Griffin and activities will be dispersed around the lake.

From 23 January, the National Carillon will be lit up with the faces of the Australian of the Year recipients.

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On 25 January there will be a series of campfires, sand circles and small stages at Reconciliation Place. The National Museum of Australia and Speakers Corner will offer a place to sit, hear the stories, listen to the music and watch the dances of traditional custodians.

Australia Day activities will begin with a Welcome to Country, followed by the Citizenship Ceremony and Flag Raising to welcome new Australian citizens at Rond Terrace before moving across the lake to Reconciliation Place and Patrick White Lawns.

Assistant Minister for Economic Development Tara Cheyne said Canberrans should use the period to reflect on what Australia is today and everything that has happened historically.

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“This Australia Day is an opportunity to look back with respect for those that came before us and celebrate the rich culture that makes us who we are today,” said Ms Cheyne.

“There will be talks, yarning circles, performances and quiet spaces to reflect on our deep history. These activities, along with cultural workshops for children, will continue throughout Australia Day.

“The events of the day will reflect the cultural diversity of contemporary Australia, with artists from a range of cultural backgrounds coming together to share workshops, conversations, roving performances and vibrant stage collaborations,” she said.

For more Australia Day events, visit What’s on in Canberra this Australia Day.

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More selective quoting to suit an justify a narrow mindset and perceived argument.

Capital Retro10:12 pm 08 Jan 22

But it’s still a relevant and inconvenient fact, JC.

Whilst it may be a fact it’s not relevant. That copyright is to produce the flag on clothing not to display the flag! So as I said selective quoting to suit your narrow minded narrative.

Capital Retro11:23 am 08 Jan 22

Actually, copyright in the Aboriginal flag is owned by Aboriginal artist, Harold Thomas. The right to reproduce the flag on clothing worldwide is exclusively licensed to a non-indigenous company, WAM Clothing Pty Ltd (WAM Clothing) so the Australian flag should be the only one flying on Australia Day.

We all know how Australia Day will go down. There will be two groups of people:
1. Most Australians will enjoy the day with family and friends be thankful to be living in a great country.
2. A very small minority will protest about an “Invasion” a couple of hundred years ago and the media will then run stories about the push to “change the date”.

Respect and reconciliation must work both ways. Those who attempt to burn down buildings show neither respect or reconciliation.
To paraphrase Ms Cheyne: This Australia Day is an opportunity to look forward with respect for those that came after us and celebrate the rich culture that makes us who we are today.

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