Australian communities have gathered to mark January 26 with ceremonies to reflect, remember and celebrate the national day.
In Newcastle in NSW's Hunter region, thousands filled the lawns of King Edward Park for the second annual Ngarrama on the eve of Australia Day. The event, which translates to 'to sit, listen and know', was inspired by Sydney's vigil at Barangaroo on the eve of Australia Day.
In Ballarat in Victoria's Central Highlands, there were tears, tunes and hope in the air for a record crowd the Survival Day Dawn Ceremony.
More than 1500 people crammed View Point at 5.30am Thursday, braving drizzle and icy winds to hear emotionally-charged stories of massacre, pain, change and resilience.
Further north in Orange in NSW's Central West and there was a very different vibe as the city put on its annual fun in the park day.
While nearby at Lithgow the best citizens of the region were recognised at the official Australia Day ceremony.
Staying in NSW and in the north east of the state Tamworth came together for a early church service followed by a breakfast at the War Memorial Town Hall.
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On the NSW North Coast, a group gathered at Oxley Beach for a moving ceremony to honour and acknowledge First Nations people.
On the state's South Coast, the Mollymook Beach foreshore was packed full of people, while at Berry Showground a crowd gathered to take part in a free breakfast and other activities. While in Bega 11 new citizens were recognised as several hundred gathered in Littleton Gardens
In Horsham, in Victoria's Wimmera region, Sawyer Park was filled with community spirit as the Horsham Rural City Council hosted its annual Australia Day celebrations.
In the NSW-Victorian border region, the communities came together to acknowledge and recognise the everyday heroes.
In Queensland, it was an early start for the Beaudesert and Jimboomba Rotary clubs with the launch of the 2023 Australia Day bike ride at 5.30am.
Kim Chappell
Digital journalist for ACM's regional titles. Before this role, I was the digital specialist with ACM's Agricultural division and prior to that chief of staff at The Land, where I started as a journalist in 2006.
Digital journalist for ACM's regional titles. Before this role, I was the digital specialist with ACM's Agricultural division and prior to that chief of staff at The Land, where I started as a journalist in 2006.
