Why January 26 is not a date CREATE celebrates

January 22, 2026

This post contains information about January 26 and maybe upsetting for some people to read.

CREATE Foundation acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples, Traditional Owners and custodian caretakers of the lands, skies and waters where we live and work. We pay deep respect to Elders, knowledge holders and community leaders across all First Nations communities – metro, regional, rural and remote – and all Traditional Homelands.  

We acknowledge that Australia is culturally rich with the oldest living cultures on earth. And we acknowledge over 60,000 years of raising kids strong and proud, connected to Culture, Ancestors, Dreaming, Kin, Community and Country. 

On January 26 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip raised the Union Jack flag at Warrane (Sydney Cove), marking the beginning of British colonial rule. For those who know our nation’s history, this is not a date to celebrate.

January 26 represents the start of colonisation, dispossession of lands and the mass loss of life and profound harm to First Nations communities, including forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families, which continues today through over-representation in child protection and justice systems.

Australia is the only former British colony that celebrates its national day on the anniversary that colonisation began. This is a choice that has been made (only since 1994).

For decades, First Nations peoples and allies have been speaking out about the pain and hurt around this date.

The long history of resistance

In 1938, Yorta Yorta man and Secretary of the Australian Aborigines’ League, William Cooper penned a letter stating that Aboriginal people intend to “observe a DAY OF MOURNING concurrently with the white man’s DAY OF REJOICING to celebrate the 150th year of the coming of the white man to Australia.” In the letter he also tells of a protest being organised for 26 January 1938. 

This action aimed to draw to attention the dehumanisation and unequal treatment that Aboriginal people faced under colonial rule.  Through political organising and protest, William Cooper resisted the dehumanisation of Aboriginal people.

CREATE stands in solidarity with First Nations peoples who have long observed January 26 as a Day of  Mourning and we acknowledge the ongoing impacts of colonisation today. 

You can learn more about Mr William Cooper who fought the dehumanisation and discrimination against Aboriginal people and campaigned for equal rights for Aboriginal people throughout the country at  williamcooper.monash.edu 

Truth, justice and healing

Truth-telling and accountability are essential for justice and healing.

For decades, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been clear about what is needed: deep listening to First Nations voices and leadership, respecting self-determination, and taking action that leads to real change.

Victoria’s historic Treaty is a significant step forward towards truth, justice and self-determination. We are proud to see this historic action in Victoria and to have been a part of the Walk for Truth in 2025.

We can’t ignore or deny the harm caused to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through colonisation. So CREATE will not celebrate Invasion Day and staff can elect to swap the public holiday for another day off to show solidarity.

How to show solidarity on Invasion Day

There are many ways to show up and show support around this painful time of year. We have put together some suggestions for showing solidarity on Invasion Day, as well as support and resources.  

Don’t attend parties or events that celebrate Australia Day 
Do attend a Survival Day/Invasion Day Rally 
Donate to a First Nations charity or NFP 
Educate yourself and friends and family about why January 26 is not a date to celebrate