Over 300 people gathered in the Lismore CBD today for a rally and march in support of Australia’s Indigenous people and changing the date of Australia Day from January 26.

After gathering at the Transit Centre on Molesworth Street, the crowd marched through the CBD on the sidewalk, calling for change and a greater recognition of the original inhabitants of Australia.

Photo (above) by Jimmy Malecki. 

Often called Invasion Day (rather than Australia Day), the change of date refers to not commemorating the arrival by ship of Captain Cook and the First Fleet, but instead remembering the history of the Indigenous people of Australia and the injustices done to them.

Local Aboriginal trans-activist, known as Lismore’s Lily, said "today is a day of mourning for our people".

“It’s a day where we call for the date of Australia Day to be changed because we mourn - and we remember our ancestors and what happened to them,” she said.

“We recognise the massacres and injustices done to our First Nations people 250 years ago and what really happened on this country.

Respect

“We want the government to hear us and change the date from January 26 – it’s simple and it shows a lot of respect to our ancestors, past and present.”

Rally placards were present with messages like ‘Change the date to May 8 maaate’ and ‘White Australia has a black history’ while people listened to talks by Uncle Gilbert Laurie and rally organiser Cindy Robbo talking about the work still to be done to bring justice to Australia’s First Nations people.

Reflection

Rally attendee Valerie said she had attended as a show of solidarity with First Nations people.

“To me it’s a day of reflection,” she said. “It’s about recognising and mourning the history of this country.

“It’s about listening and learning and finding out more about the history of this country.”

Photo (above) by Jimmy Malecki. 

Photo (above) by Jimmy Malecki. 

Photo (above) by Jimmy Malecki. 

Photo (above) by Jimmy Malecki.