19 JANUARY 2026
For too long Aboriginal people have mourned a day that represents the loss of Country, the loss of self-determination, the massacre of our ancestors and the taking away of our sacred sites.
Every day members of our community experience the impacts of colonisation, including land injustice, economic disparity, poorer health outcomes, lower education attainment and housing insecurity.
It is time to reimagine a day that celebrates this nation and brings people together with a true understanding of our history and a collective vision for the future.
Yet, even though in Victoria we’ve had the Yoorrook Justice Commission and the harrowing truth-telling of our people, despite the legislation of Treaty and a formal apology from the Victorian Government, extraordinary levels of racism remain.
Online hate flourishes in a partisan political landscape that seeks to divide people and sow discord among the Australian people. Our millennia-old ceremonies to welcome people to Country are denigrated, our flags are derided, our people are vilified for seeking equity and justice.
We are continuously attacked and belittled with vitriolic statements from everyday Australians whom we live and work alongside and by people paid to represent all Australians.
What is supposed to be the lucky country, a country that believes in a fair go for all, continues to be a place where we must read, hear and see acts of racism, hate and division.
We say enough.
Enough for the First Peoples of this country and enough for every marginalised community.
With Treaty legislated in Victoria, there is a new hope for the future where all Victorians can come together.
Now is the opportunity to create a day to celebrate our country based on an appreciation of 65,000 years of history and our shared vision for an equitable future for our children and young people. A day grounded in traditional culture and celebrating the Australian values of fairness, justice and inclusivity.
Victoria can lead the way.
“Treaty is our chance to change the narrative.
I believe in a national day of celebration and that Victoria has the opportunity to find a day to celebrate that is unifying rather than divisive. A day of celebration where all its peoples are proud of their individual and collective contributions to the richness that Victoria offers.
Aboriginal people have survived the harshest of policies and practices. Now with Treaty there is the opportunity for our communities to thrive and for us to close the gap in outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians.
Treaty is the future, and I want to see a day that recognises and celebrates the richness of our Aboriginal history and culture, and helps us to move forward together, ensuring that our children and young people can grow up in a country that is fair, equitable and inclusive for all.”
Muriel Bamblett, VACCA CEO
We believe that unity is power. We believe that compassion is strength. We believe that our Aboriginal history makes us a culturally richer country.
We are proud and we are strong. And we hold hope in our hearts that our children grow up in a country that truly believes in a fair go for all.
It’s time to change the date.
- ENDS -
FOR RELEASE –
Simone Egger – Senior Manager Communications and Public Relations
PH: 0472 505 780 E: simone.egger@vacca.org
ABOUT VACCA - www.vacca.org
The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is Victoria’s peak voice for Aboriginal children. We are the leading provider of Aboriginal child and family services, and the largest provider of services for Aboriginal family violence and homelessness. We have been supporting children, young people, and families in the community for over 47 years as an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO).
Through our vision of self-determination we exist to support culturally strong, safe, and thriving Aboriginal communities. We deliver over 80 programs across Victoria including child and family services, family violence, support for stolen generations, child protection, cultural strengthening programs, mental health, financial services, justice and redress support, early years and homelessness services.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we work. We pay our respects to their elders, past and present, and to their children and young people who are the future elders and caretakers of this great land.