A Geelong rally and march will share First Nations history along with the reasons behind calls to change the date of Australia Day.
Be Tru Cry Justice Coalition of Voices will host its second Invasion Day Rally and March to commemorate the 1938 Day of Mourning, which paid tribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and communities.
Coalition of Voices member and Torres Strait Islander woman Julie Saylor-Briggs said the rally and march was a “cry for truth and a stand for justice”.
“We hope that our message of truth and justice permeates across everyone’s life choices and in their communities,” she said.
“We host the march with the rally because we want to take the message across Geelong, and we believe that great things can come from this.
“We hope that people understand that speaking truth and acting with justice towards yourself and others is a compassionate Australian thing to do.”
The rally and march will begin at the corner of Little Malop Street and Moorabool Street at 11am on Monday 26 January.
Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) will also lead Pilk Purriyn, a sunrise truth-telling gathering event, for its fourth year at Torquay’s Cosy Corner from 5.30am on 26 January.
“Each year, more people join us on Warri Dja (Sea Country) at sunrise to listen, reflect and walk together toward healing,” Wadawurrung Traditional Owner and WTOAC co-chief executive Sarah Eccles said
“These gatherings counter what 26 January has long represented and…seeing the community embrace this new way of recognising the day gives us hope for the future.”
