Reflect. Respect. Celebrate Australia Day

Published on 18 January 2021

Mornington Peninsula Shire is working with local businesses to create an entertaining atmosphere in Main Street, Mornington on Tuesday 26 January 2021, where our community can reflect, respect and celebrate Australia Day.
 
Due to COVID-19 our approach to Australia day has been reimagined and we’re supporting our local traders through the Shire’s support local campaign with musicians and artists performing as part of the Mornington Chamber of Commerce’s Summer of Music program. We’re encouraging our community to shop, dine and experience all Main Street has to offer on Australia Day.
 
This year we’ve partnered with RPP FM (98.7) to create an Australia Day playlist just for the Mornington Peninsula. There’s still time to add your favourite song via our website before the entries close on Wednesday 20 January. Our curated playlist of the chosen songs will feature in a special Australia Day live broadcast on Tuesday 26 January between 1pm – 3pm. 
 
The RPP FM broadcast will air from the corner of Main and Queen Streets, Mornington and will feature great Australia music chosen by our community, interviews and acoustic performances from local artists.
 
For those unable to attend Mornington on the day, the live RPP FM broadcast will give our community the chance to tune in from across the Peninsula to stay connected and celebrate the day.
 
In the days leading up the Australia Day we’ll be featuring daily interviews from our previous Australia Day Award winners on our social channels.
 
The Shire will also welcome our newest citizens at the Australian Day citizenship ceremony in Rosebud.
 
We hope you can join in safely as we reflect, respect and celebrate our great community this Australia Day.
 
Please note, a number of the Peninsula’s usual Australia day activities will not be proceeding this year. Many of the organising committees decided not to proceed due to uncertainty around COVID restrictions.
 
For more information about other Australia day activities and how to submit your song to the Peninsula playlist, visit: mornpen.vic.gov.au/ausday
 
Quotes attributable to Mayor Councillor Despi O’Connor:
 
Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Despi O’Connor said even with COVID-19 restrictions, Australia Day 2021 can still be an inclusive and enjoyable.
 
“Whether you’re supporting a hospitality business on the day with a local brunch, having a BBQ in the park or catching up with friends and family, I remind everyone that we still need to remain vigilant, observe the social distancing rules and practice good hygiene”.
 
“I also want to congratulate our Australia Day Local Award winners. Their dedication to our community is truly remarkable and their efforts deserved to be recognised.”
 
“On this Australia Day I ask residents of the Mornington Peninsula, visitors and fellow Australians take a moment to recognise this day represents the landing of the First Fleet. A flag was raised at Warrane, now known as Sydney Cove and the land claimed by the British to form a colony. For the First People of this country it signifies dispossession and end to life as they knew it. Recognising our shared history requires us to consider the impact this day had, and is still having on our fellow Australians.”

For more details: mornpen.vic.gov.au/ausday