Recent migrants topped the list of those most likely to partake in celebrations of Australia Day, according to the most recent results from a poll by the National Australia Day Council that examined Australians’ participation of the day.
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Eight in 10 Australians who have lived in Australia for 20 years or less participate in Australia Day compared with two-thirds of the total population.
Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG, chairman of the National Australia Day Council, said Australia Day was an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate building a new life in an adopted home for many new migrants.
“The things we typically reflect on Australia Day – the land, that sense of a fair go, freedom and democracy – they’re things we can all appreciate about Australia, no matter where our stories began,” he said.
In 2017, about 16,000 people will become Australian citizens in hundreds of ceremonies across the country on Thursday, January 26. Mr Roberts-Smith said Australia Day was an opportunity to come together and acknowledge our nation’s past, celebrate the present, and unite and move forward together as a nation.
“Our national celebrations should reflect our diversity, and the many unique things that make Australia what it is,” he said.
Mr Roberts-Smith encouraged all Australians to share their Australia Day celebrations on social media using #AustraliaDay. For more information about Australia Day events (around 700 events), visit australiaday.org.au or contact the Australia Day Committee in your state or territory.
