Truth telling event to replace January 26 celebrations on Surf Coast

THE SURF Coast Shire will host a ceremony on January 26 honouring Wadawurrung Traditional Owners with an inaugural truth-telling event named Pilk Purriyn (sunrise).

It takes the place of past Australia Day events after the Surf Coast Shire council resolved in 2021 to no longer celebrate the date as it represented the beginning of European colonisation and decimation of First Nations people and their culture.

The shire flew the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island flags at half-mast on January 26 in 2022.

This year, Pilk Purriyn will see Wadarurrung Traditional Owners explain why the date is not one of celebration.

“Every day the sun rises to bring us our day, this day is a day of heaviness and sorrow felt by all First Nations people,” Wadawurrung woman Corrina Eccles said.

“It is an opportunity to come together for deep listening and to honour and respect Wadawurrung Country and people.

“We will remember and pay our respects to Wadawurrung Ancestors, Elders and our family and all First Nations Elders and people.”

Shire mayor Liz Pattison said the shire’s support for Pilk Purriyn was “in the spirit of respect, recognition and compassion”, and encouraged community members to take part in the dawn event.

“We are seeking to grow our understanding of First Nations culture and experience. Deep listening to truth-telling, and recognition of past hurt is so important.”

Earlier this month, the federal government amended a policy from former prime minister Scott Morrison that required councils to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26.

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles said the “pragmatic” changes meant ceremonies could now take place between January 23-29.

Cr Pattison said January 26 citizenship ceremonies on the Surf Coast would go ahead this year as event planning was “well advanced”, and invitations to conferees had already been sent by the Department of Home Affairs.

“With the Commonwealth Government having now removed that requirement, council can consider an alternative date for its first citizenship ceremony in 2024.”

Pilk Purriyn will be held at Cosy Corner in Torquay on January 26 between 5.30am-7am.

To find out more about the event and register your attendance, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/pilk-purriyn