Australia Day 2024 events

Published on 18 January 2024

Two community events will be held in Port Fairy that will provide opportunities for shared reflection, healing and celebration.

From 6:00pm on the evening of Thursday 25 January, community members are invited to Pea Soup Beach No 1 in Port Fairy for an evening of unity and healing. Pea Soup is a significant location in Port Fairy for local Indigenous people, with a direct sightline to Deen Maar Island.

Mayor Cr Ian Smith said the event will include a smoking ceremony and welcome to country from Gunditjmara/Kirrae Whurrong man Brett Clarke on behalf of Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, and catering by Worn Gundidj.

“We will hear from a range of community members and Councillors, reflecting upon and acknowledging the past, and imagining the future,” said Cr Smith.

“This is the second year Council has collaborated with Indigenous community members on an event around Australia Day. It builds on last year’s Ngootyoong Laka, Ngootyoong Yana event attended by over 300 people,” he said.

From 11:00am the following morning, Friday 26 January at Fiddlers Green in Port Fairy there will be a citizenship ceremony for nine new citizens and presentation of the annual Moyne Community Awards for Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, and Community Event of the Year.

“The Port Fairy Lions Club will provide a free sausage sizzle from 10:00am, and will also present their annual James O’Neill Award that recognises those quietly doing good in the community,” said Cr Smith.

“I’d like to thank Kirrae Whurrong man and Port Fairy resident Ashley Couzens, Shane Bell, Brett Clarke, the Lion’s Club and Council staff for helping develop and arrange these events.”

The events have been made possible with a grant from the National Australia Day Council.