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Australia Day

If you want to dip your toe in the water and see why it’s important to change the date, consider these ways to spend this January 26 to help create a better Australia, writes Emma Garlett.

opinion
opinion
Emma GarlettComments
opinion
Ways to spend Jan 26 if you want to change the date

If you want to dip your toe in the water and see why it’s important to change the date, consider these ways to spend this January 26 to help create a better Australia, says Emma Garlett.

Emma Garlett

Emma Garlett

The Skyfest Fireworks at Koombana Bay Foreshore.

AUSTRALIA DAYPremiumKoombana Bay remains home of Bunbury Australia Day.

Bunbury locals are set to once again don the green and gold on the Koombana Bay foreshore this January 26. 

Will Corbett

‘In recent years, Australia Day has been steadily recast by activists as something to apologise for rather than celebrate,’ says Michaelia Cash

opinion
opinion
Michaelia CashCommentsPremium
opinion
There is no shame in national pride on Australia Day

Australia Day should always be a day when a vast, diverse continent pauses to reflect on what binds us together.

Michaelia Cash

‘Gen Zs aren’t reacting against Australia Day ‘wokeness’, writes Emma Garlett.

opinion
opinion
Emma GarlettPremium
opinion
Gen Zs aren’t reacting against Australia Day ‘wokeness’

January 26 is not a day of unification. That is a modern myth, and there is a powerful shift in the younger generation.

Emma Garlett

The Town of Cottesloe will continue hosting its annual citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day.

Australia DayCommentsPremiumCottesloe vote to keep date for Aus Day celebrations

The Town of Cottesloe will continue hosting its annual citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day after a majority of residents voted to keep the date.

Harriet Flinn

Cottesloe residents will soon have their say on the divisive Australia Day date debate as the council considers whether to continue holding its annual citizenship ceremony on January 26.

Local GovernmentCommentsPremiumCottesloe residents get say on Australia Day date debate

Locals will be given a choice of three options: A) On the nearest Saturday to 26 January, B) On 26 January, or C) No preference. 

Harriet Flinn

Not Supplied

TravelPremiumWild reason woman gets kicked off flight

Video has captured a woman causing a wild scene and abusing airline staff on a Virgin flight, with the ruckus kicking off for a truly bizarre reason.

Jack Nivison

Colin Ward with his Narrogin senior citizen of the year award certificate and medallion.

TOP SENIORNarrogin’s 30-year vollie recognised for community service

Narrogin’s top senior citizen was recognised for his commitment to helping newcomers and ensuring the community is an enjoyable place through his volunteer work.

Hannah Whitehead

The Shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes celebrated its citizen of the year awards while some residents became Australian citizens.

UNITING AUSTRALIANSBridgetown Greenbushes community unite on Australia Day

The Bridgetown-Greenbushes community celebrated multiculturalism, honoured First Nations people and welcomed two New Zealanders as Australian citizens on Australia Day. 

Anjelica Smilovitis

Senior citizen of the year Maggie Shanklin with shire president Len Handasyde.

Citizens’ awardsPremiumShire of Plantagenet volunteers recognised on Australia Day

The Shire of Plantagenet recognised its community heroes and welcomed new Australian citizens over the Australia Day long weekend at the Community Citizen of the Year Awards. 

Jacki Elezovich and Melissa Sheil

Citizen of the year winners hold their medallions and certificates alongside their fellow nominees with Shire of Narrogin president Leigh Ballard.

Australia Day PremiumNarrogin’s Aus Day marked the crowning of towns top citizens

Narrogin hosted a fun-filled weekend of Australia Day celebrations and saluted upstanding community members with a host of awards.

Hannah Whitehead

Cottesloe's Michael Ewing received the Medal of the Order of Australia for his services to agriculture and conservation.

AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURSPremiumAg trailblazers recognised with OAMs

Four trailblazers with roots firmly in agriculture have been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for their services to regional WA.

Adam Poulsen, Olivia Ford & Caitlyn Rintoul

Vicki Chadwick accepts the community citizen of the year award medallion and certificate.

TOP CITIZENPremiumNarrogin’s top 2024 citizen commended for community service

An outstanding volunteer in Narrogin has been named citizen of the year for her giving nature in the community and commitment to the town’s future.

Hannah Whitehead

Divine You Narrogin founder Sister Sahaya accepts the active citizenship (group or event) award on behalf of Divine You.

Top award PremiumDivine You recognised for helping homeless and disabled

A not-for-profit organisation steadfast on helping the homeless, disabled and elderly, has claimed Narrogin’s active citizen award.

Hannah Whitehead

Young citizen of the year Mia Ewen, 14, with her medallion and certificate and accepting the honour at the Shire of Narrogin's Australia Day celebrations.

YOUNG CITIZEN AWARDPremiumNarrogin young citizen honoured for leadership and drive

A young go-getter has been recognised for her unstoppable drive and leading spirit at Narrogin’s Citizen of the Year Awards.

Hannah Whitehead

Sweet Orange Productions owner Tyson Overstone assesses the damage to hire equipment.

Senseless actPremium‘Senseless act’ puts Aus Day fireworks display in jeopardy

The ‘senseless act’ of a few in the community could cost the future of the Australia Day fireworks display in Kalbarri after hire equipment was vandalised. 

Jessica Moroney

Jan-Mark, Alona Summer and Agnes Guevara received their Australian citizenship at Sunday’s ceremony.

Australia DayPremiumIN PICTURES: Binalup/Middleton Beach Festival full of fun

Sunday’s Binalup/Middleton Beach Festival brought together people of all cultures, interests and ages from the Albany community for a morning of ceremony and free family fun. 

Jacki Elezovich

Gregory Mair received his OAM for decades of service to the community.

High honour PremiumAlbany’s Gregory Mair receives Order of Australia medal

Albany’s Gregory Mair has been rewarded for almost five decades of committed service to the communities and environment of the South West and Great Southern regions, receiving a Medal of the Order of Australia.

Jacki Elezovich

A neo-nazi group claims to be expanding in WA and is actively recruiting young men on social media where they proudly pose in black outfits proudly holding white supremacist flags.

AustraliaPremiumThe troubling rise of neo-nazis in our backyard

A neo-nazi group claims to be expanding in WA and is actively recruiting young men on social media where they pose in black outfits proudly holding far-right flags.

Caitlyn Rintoul

Skippers now face the same drug and alcohol penalties as drivers after new testing procedures were introduced in December.

WA NewsPremiumOver the limit skippers caught on Aus Day amid crackdown

A number of skippers failed on-water breath tests on Australia Day in a test of the Department’s strengthened powers to punish those in control of boats under the influence.

Oliver Lane and Caleb Runciman

The scene of the crash in East Perth.

CrimePremiumPolice busy but Australia Day antisocial behaviour ‘low’

Police arrested 60 people and laid more than 100 charges across WA in an operation to stamp out crime on Australia Day.

Caleb Runciman

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, fiancee Jodie Haydon and 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame during a morning tea at the Lodge in Canberra, Saturday, January 25, 2025.

Federal PoliticsCommentsPM slams former Australian of the Year’s anti-Murdoch shirt

Anthony Albanese has slammed the T-shirt worn by former Australian of the Year Grace Tame as disrespectful and said it was ‘clearly designed to get attention’.

Jessica Page

It wasn’t just happy families impressed with the show, with former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott in attendance.

updated
updated
Australia DayCommentsPremium
updated
Tony Abbott makes appearance at ‘remarkable’ WA Aus Day show

The Swan River foreshore was filled with thousands of families for the dazzling Australia Day fireworks show. 

Caleb Runciman

Neale Daniher’s family had no idea he was going to be named Australian Of The Year, so his Perth-based son Luke was thrilled that he decided to fly to Canberra to be with the rest of his family for the night

Australian Of The YearCommentsPremiumDaniher’s WA-based son’s shock and pride after dad’s award

Neale Daniher’s family had no idea he was going to be named Australian Of The Year, his Perth-based son Luke was so thrilled that he decided to fly to Canberra to be with the rest of his family for the night.

Craig O'Donoghue