Pilbara for Purpose acknowledges that the 26 January is not a day of celebration for all Australians; for many First Nations People it has a painful history, to them it is a day of mourning, representing the beginning of their dispossession in 1788. We believe that this date divides our nation rather than unifying it, so out of respect to First Nations People, the P4P Board and staff have made the decision to remain open on 26th January and instead close on Monday 29th January as a small but practical act of reconciliation.
Whilst we cannot change what January 26 means to First Nations people, we can change how we acknowledge this into the future. We can find an alternate date that can be celebrated by everyone, one which pays our respects to First Nations people, a date that all Australians can be proud of. Changing the date is a first step towards acknowledging the legacy of 26 January, listening to First Nations People and then finding a way to heal and move forward together.
There are a number of organisations across the Pilbara that will also remain open on Australia Day as a similar small act of reconciliation. These include:
– Mission Australia Pilbara
– Julyardi Aboriginal Corporation
– MacKillop Family Services – Hedland
– Youth Involvement Council – Mingle Mob and YAP service
