Will We Walk Together in 2027?
by Liza Butler, Member for South Coast
As many Australians gather to mark Australia Day, we do so with a shared responsibility to listen, reflect and acknowledge that this day can carry very different meanings. For many First Nations people, today may be a day of deep sadness, grief and loss, a reminder of dispossession, trauma and a history that did not begin with celebration.
We acknowledge that this land was never ceded. It always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land. Long before any flags were raised or borders drawn, First Nations peoples cared for this country with wisdom, resilience and an unbroken connection stretching back tens of thousands of years.
So today, I begin, as always, with respect. I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we meet and pay my respects to Elders past and present. I acknowledge the strength of First Nations communities, their survival, their cultures and their enduring contribution to who we are as a nation.
Australia Day is not about denying history, it is about understanding it. It is about recognising that our nation’s story did not start in 1788, and that our future depends on truth, respect and a willingness to walk together.
When I was at University, Australian Identity was a compulsory subject. Images of bronzed Aussie lifesavers, diggers at Gallipoli, ‘Mateship’ and the Man from Snowy River and an Australia built on the sheep’s back.
However, as we pause to cherish these icons of our heritage, we must also ask: Where do our First Australians and our newest migrants fit into this narrative - because they are at the heart of our great country and our evolving national identity.
What this taught me is that our national story is not static, it is shaped by change, challenge and courage. That evolution is something to celebrate and honour, because today’s Australia is stronger, kinder and more inclusive than ever before.
Walking Together Alliance with Waminda - South Coast Women’s Health and Wellbeing Aboriginal Corporation, hosted the inaugural Anniversary of Resistance and Resilience in Nowra on Monday, January 26, with a focus on uniting the community while acknowledging that the date is not a celebration for Aboriginal people, but a reminder of the British invasion.
Among the hundreds of people who attended the event's dance, music and presentations was Midnight Oil lead (and former MP), Peter Garrett.
One attendee explained:
"When I talk about resistance and resilience, it's not a negative thing, it's not violence, it's the power within you ... getting that real itchy feeling that I need to be part of this, to take on what I've learned and do the work now."
Another speaker said:
"Resilience to me means carrying myself as an Aboriginal woman without shame, unapologetically, in a way that is confronting to everyone else...speaking about things that happen in our community. But being happy regardless of those things is also really important. Being the first to do things is hard, but it's important, and that's how I lead with resilience and resistance to colonialism...by making it easier for mob in the future."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reminds us that “Australia Day is an opportunity to celebrate everything we’ve built together and be optimistic for the future we can shape together” - a future made richer by the contributions of people from every corner of the globe.
We are a multicultural society. Our strength lies not only in the legacy of the past, but in the diversity of languages, cultures and faiths that now call this continent home. As the NSW Premier Chris Minns has said, “Australia embraces multiculturalism and embraces people and cultures from right around the world” and is a reflection that divisions and racist rhetoric have no place in the Australia we share.
Today, more than ever, we must look out for each other, not as separate communities, not as “us” and “them,” but as Australians bound by shared hope and mutual respect. We must be vigilant against voices that seek to divide us with fear or prejudice. The agenda that tries to fracture our unity must be challenged, not with anger, but with bravery and kindness.
Being brave doesn’t mean being unkind; it means standing up for what is right, even when it costs you emotionally. It is comments on social media and in our daily conversations. Let us not remain silent when others are attacked for their beliefs, background, or identity. Let us be the voices of compassion that lift each other up.
We have the power to embrace our differences, to make our communities safe, welcoming, inclusive and respectful places where everyone belongs. This is the true spirit of Australia Day: an invitation to extend friendship across cultures, to recognise First Nations people, and to welcome those who have chosen this land as their home.
So today, let us rejoice in our shared journey and recommit to the values that make this nation great — respect, inclusion, and unity. Let us honour the past, celebrate the vibrant tapestry of today, and courageously work toward a future where everyone feels at home. Together, we can create a community that is not only diverse in culture and thought, but unified in purpose and heart.
Congratulations to all the award nominees and recipients across the Shoalhaven. May we continue to stand tall for one another and for all that makes this country truly remarkable.
Shoalhaven Women Win Australia Day Awards
Thirty-seven people were nominated for four awards, with winners selected by the Shoalhaven City Australia Day judging panel.
Megan Dover, the co-founder of Salt Care, won the Shoalhaven Citizen of the Year award for her work with our community's most vulnerable members confronting homelessness, hardship and social disadvantage in the Shoalhaven.
Bella Dewsbury-Love was awarded the Shoalhaven Young Citizen of the Year award for her commitment to supporting young people as a Program Leader with Sonder Youth and as a volunteer for Junior Albatross Musical Theatre Company.
Narelle Barry, the heart and soul of the Berry Shoalhaven Heads Magpies Rugby League Club for 48 years, won the Volunteer of the Year award. Narelle has selflessly served in the club’s canteen, welcoming players, volunteers, and supporters with her renowned beef and gravy rolls and generous hospitality.
Sophie Phillips was awarded the Sports Achiever of the Year award for her role as Head Coach and Captain of the Bomaderry Tigers AFL Club, bringing unparalleled energy and passion to the sport and nurturing the next generation.
Mayor Patricia White, Assistant Deputy Mayor Selena Clancy and Shoalhaven’s Australia Day Ambassador, Dr David Kirkpatrick, presented awards to the nominees and winners.
“This year’s awards are particularly special, with all recipients being women whose leadership and commitment have made an extraordinary impact across our community,” Mayor White said.
Providing this year’s keynote speech was accomplished musician and Emergency Medicine Specialist, Dr David Kirkpatrick, as Shoalhaven’s Australia Day Ambassador.
As the son of iconic Australian music legends Slim Dusty and Joy McKean, Dr Kirkpatrick spoke of his unique life story that bridges two Australian worlds: the high-pressure environment of emergency medicine and the soulful traditions of country music in regional communities.
The event also welcomed "home" as newly conferred Australian citizens, 29 migrants from Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, Britian, Germany, Colombia, Thailand, New Zealand, Philippines and Sweden.
Indian, Thai and Nepaliese dancers performed beautiful traditional routines, followed by an original song from Dr Kirkpatrick who is the lead singer and guitarist for the band Two Tone Pony.
