As it happened: January 26 rallies and events across the country

We are wrapping up now, but there are still events happening into the night.

Our journalists continue to feed through videos and photos so we will make sure we keep you across everything that went down in the coming days.

For the mob - Please reach out to family and friends if you are not feeling well about what comes with today, or you could get in contact with 13 YARN (139276) or your local Aboriginal Medical Service.

Derek Nannup of the Muggera Dancers performs at the start of the Invasion Day rally in Sydney. Source: AP / Rick Rycroft/AP

Boorloo protestors gathered at Forrest Chase in Perth City to mark Invasion Day.

As we have heard at other rallies across, local organisers are calling for a Treaty to be established before the Voice to Parliament.

Protestors came to the square with signs and placards. Credit: NITV/Kearyn Cox

Speaking to NITV, co-organiser Marianne Headland-Mackay said the Voice would be "simply just another national advisory body".

"What we need is a Treaty," she said.

"Our self-determination is what is most important and our survival."

Crowds gathered in Saint Georges Terrace for the Invasion Day rally. Credit: NITV/Kearyn Cox

Ms Mackay said she is pleased with the turnout so far in her home city, saying it's a step up from 2022.

"It makes me proud because every year it gets bigger and bigger and bigger," she said.

"It makes me proud to see so many non-Aboriginal people walking with us."

Saint Georges Terrace in Perth filled with protestors holding signs and flags for the Invasion Day protest. Credit: NITV/Kearyn Cox

A couple of thousand people gathered on Kaurna land to mark Survival Day.

Protesters at the rally. Credit: Peta Doherty

Speaking on stage, rally organiser Natasha Wanganeen said "what good is a Voice if we don’t have a Treaty? What good is a Voice if we don’t have land?"

Aunty Joan (far right) with the Summer family. Credit: Peta Doherty

Kaurna Narunga woman Aunty Joan turns 80 this year. She's been marching for decades but said this year, there’s increased support for the cause.

On such a difficult day, it's worth remembering that in the face of colonialism's devastations, our communities have shown strength, courage, resilience and dedication to our cultures.

Get reacquainted with these three examples of Blak excellence.

Richard Bell is 'an activist masquerading as an artist', whose provocative works examining racism in Australia are getting worldwide attention. He spoke to NITV about learning the importance of Blak solidarity in 1970s Redfern.

Bell's work is uncompromising, much as his politics have been for decades.

READ MORE

From the reserve to Redfern, artist Richard Bell learned the power of Blak solidarity

She was the country's sweetheart as the Bachelorette, but Brooke Blurton hasn't always been the confident woman we know and love.

Growing up, January 26 saw her caught between her white family's celebrations and the staunch solemnity displayed by her Blak matriarchs. She made a decision that she is proud of.

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Brooke Blurton celebrated Australia Day as a child. Now she believes it should be abolished

Ernie Dingo has been a staple of the country's media for decades, but even before that he was fighting the good fight.

The Yamatji man reflects on what has (and hasn't) changed since he attended the bicentenary protests in 1988.

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Ernie Dingo held a megaphone at the bicentenary marches. 35 years later he's returning to the same place

Stephen Oliver is the outrageous performer who loves to make us laugh, cry and think.

But even a man as comfortable in his own skin as Oliver still has to take protect himself, from the insults of being tailed in stores, to the hate that social media makes all too accessible.

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'Racism isn't going anywhere': the fabulous Steven Oliver on the darker side of public life

Lead by Nala Mansell, the Campaign Manager at the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, the Tasmanian Aboriginal community + allies started marching down nipaluna (Hobart’s) Elizabeth Street. They ended the March at Tasmanian’s Parliament House, where the rally began at 12pm.

The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre is this year marking its 50th anniversary. While addressing the crowd at the rally in nipaluna Sara Maynard said “some (issues) we’re still battling on with, like this one today (Change the Date)

Nala Mansell, the Campaign Manager at the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre Hobart (nipaluna) leads the march towards Parliament House

The difference we have today - 50 years later - is that we have thousands of people here today (in support) and that’s what makes today bearable for us as Blakfellas”

Palawa man Rodney Gibbons told the crowd, seeing (the number of people) in support of Changing the Date “sharpens the voice” of Aboriginal people.

“For most Australians (Jan 26) is just another day off.

“To call the date unchangeable is simply not true.”

Thousands gathered at Tasmania's Parliament House in protest and to listen to community leaders call for a change of date

Protesters march past Old Parliament House to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. Source: AAP / MICK TSIKAS/AAPIMAGE

Aunty Violet Sheridan has appealed for a yes vote at the upcoming referendum in her Welcome to Country for Canberra's citizenship ceremony.

The Ngunnawal Elder also called for unity, citing her twin identities.

“I’m a proud Ngunnawal Aboriginal woman but I’m also a proud Australian,” reported AAP.

“I want us to come together.”

Present at the ceremony was Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who in a departure from the previous government specifically acknowledged the pain January 26 causes in First Nations communities.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with a portrait of King Charles during the Citizenship Ceremony in Canberra. Source: AAP / MICK TSIKAS/AAPIMAGE

“Today is a difficult day for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and that is acknowledged,” he said.

“Let us all recognise the unique privilege we have to share this continent with the world’s oldest continuous culture.”

Meanwhile, Invasion Day protests were making their way through the nation's capital towards the symbolic heart of Blak activism, the Tent Embassy.

Protest leaders are calling for a focus on sovereignty, treaty and truth-telling, reported AAP.

The day has seen conflicting opinions about the upcoming referendum on a Voice to Parliament. Source: AAP / MICK TSIKAS/AAPIMAGE

January 26 was ushered in with a smoking ceremony at Darwin Waterfront.

Starting a bit before 8am, the ceremony was organised by the Larrakia people and saw performances from Yirrkala's Rirratjingu Dancers.

One of the members of the Rirratjingu dance group. Credit: NITV

Musician, filmmaker and Elder Witiyana Marika spoke to NITV after the ceremony.

"I feel that there is hope for First Nations to go forward," he said.

"That is what I'm trying to do, that is why I'm wearing our suit of paint. To tell, to explain to non-Indigenous that we are still here.

"It is still rich and powerful that culture we still have."

He said the date is a reminder of survival.

Rirratjingu dancers performing at a ceremony in Garramilla. Credit: NITV/Guy McLean

"I have been celebrating Australia Day because I take it as a day of memorial for what happened," he said.

"To celebrate what our ancestors and creators did . . . we have survived.

"You are a survivor."

Les Huddleston from Roper River joined the ceremony, playing the yidaki.

He told NITV that while it's hard sometimes, he made the choice to come and "make a statement".

Young Larrakia dancers performing at a ceremony in Garramilla.

At midday, a protest against Don Dale prison began in the rain outside.

Protest signs along the fence at Don Dale. Credit: NITV/Guy McLean

Larrakia man Uncle Eric Fejo, who worked in the maximum security Berrima Correctional Centre for five years, spoke to protestors.

"This place is Berrima jail, adult prison, it isn't Don Dale," he said.

"There are bad bad people there . . . they put our future, our children in those areas."

Larrakia Uncle Eric Fejo speaking at the Don Dale protest. Credit: NITV/Guy McLean

"The whole history of this country was built on a lie," he said.

"Federation chucked wood on the flame to keep that lie alive."

People protesting outside of Don Dale in the rain. Credit: NITV/Guy McLean

Tamara Blackwood and her mother Aunty Shirley Blackwood oustide the Victorian State Parliament.

Thousands have taken to Naarm Melbourne’s streets for the city’s annual Invasion Day protest and march.

For Aunty Shirley Blackwood, a member of the Stolen Generations, and her daughter Tamara the event is an opportunity for people to come together and show solidarity with First Nations people.

“It’s very important to us as we want to change the date and things. We want to change the date and move on,” Shirley said.

“We haven’t had one for a while so it’s good of us all to get together again.

Naarm Melbourne's Invasion Day protest.

As the crowds gathered on the steps of Victoria’s parliament, Tamara said it was important to stand up.

“The past is there, and we can’t forget it, so we have got to keep honouring them and standing up for them and not forget what happened,” she said.

“We find peace in being together as well, and it’s really important we do this so we can stand strong together.”

The crowds have marched down Bourke Street in the city’s CBD towards Flinders Street station.

Uncle Robbie Thorpe has delivered a fiery speech before thousands of protestors at Naarm Melbourne's annual Invasion Day protest.

The Krautungalung man is an activist of the Thorpe dynasty, and a regular feature of the city's January 26 movements.

"Truth is what we need to deal with first," he said to cheers.

Thousands of protesters attend the Invasion Day rally in Naarm Melbourne.

"Because once you establish what the truth is, everything else can flow... but without it, it's just more of the same.

"We know what that is: it started with intentional genocide of our people... it's all lies here.

"Everything's a lie. There's a great opportunity right now to step into an independent, sovereign republic."

Taleisha Ahmat and Rhiannon Bush at Naarm Melbourne's Invasion Day protest.

Our brother Jonah Johnson was down there in the thick of it. Check it out

Kabikabi and Gurang-Gurang man Pastor Ray Minniecon gave some strong words on the Sunset Ceremony, take a listen.

Reporters on the ground estimate there's 7-10 thousand people that turned up this morning at Belmore Park in Sydney, with speakers calling for a change to the date, an end to deaths in custody, and to prioritise a Treaty before the referendum on a Voice to Parliament.

A lot of families are in attendance reflecting on what the day means to them.

Wiradjuri and Badu Island woman Lynda-June Coe, who is also a NSW Greens upper house candidate for March's state election was among those that kicked off proceedings.

"They tried to wipe us out, still here," she said.

"They tried to breed us out, still here.

"There tried to commit genocide on us, still here.

"What you seen this morning people with the welcoming and ceremony, is the continuation of Aboriginal Sovereignty. Best believe, still here.

"I am an angry Blak woman and I am proud to be an angry Blak woman."

Craig Madden and family turned up at Belmore Park. Credit: NITV: Emma Kellaway

Connie and Chloe have brought their messages for everyone to see. Credit: NITV: Emma Kellaway

Gumbaynggirr and Dunghutti singer Emma Donovan was also there with loved ones.

Make sure to tune into NITV News to see highlights of the rallies around the country.

We'll also be going live on Facebook to show you what's happening on the ground.

The central west NSW town of Wellington held events a day earlier for the first time. Source: AAP / MURRAY MCCLOSKEY/AAPIMAGE

A smoking ceremony taking place at Wellington on January 25. Source: AAP / MURRAY MCCLOSKEY/AAPIMAGE

Last night NITV held a live panel delving into the national conversation around a Referendum, an Indigenous Voice to Parliament and the debate around January 26.

You can catch up here on SBS On Demand or on our Facebook.

Good morning. We will bring you live updates of what's happening on the ground, as thousands are set to hit the pavement and stand in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Events have taken place already - from dawn Sydney's Opera House was lit up with 'Diyan Warrane', the work of Kamilaroi artist Rhonda Sampson.

There has also been the Wulgolora (One Mob) Morning Ceremony at Barangaroo Reserve, while in Brisbane there was a dawn service at Musgrave Park.

Kamilaroi artist Rhonda Sampson poses for a photograph as her artwork ‘Diyan Warrane’ is projected onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House at dawn. Source: AAP / BIANCA DE MARCHI/AAPIMAGE

The Weldon-Moran family enjoying the Wulgolora Morning Ceremony at Barangaroo Sydney. Credit: NITV: Breanna Holden

A smoking ceremony taking place at Barangaroo to begin the Wulgolora Morning Ceremony. Credit: NITV: Jonah Johnson