How Australians choose to observe January 26 can differ dramatically, as this date elicits a range of emotions and holds varying significance across communities.

For some, it is a day marked by celebration, while for others, it stands as a solemn day of mourning.

Australia, with nearly a third of its population—approximately 8.6 million people—born overseas, is recognized as one of the world’s most culturally diverse nations, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

This year’s Australia Day arrives amidst heightened social tensions, highlighted by recent data indicating that the sense of national belonging is at its lowest point in over a decade.

Nevertheless, support for multiculturalism remains robust, as reflected in the Australian National University’s 2024 Mapping Social Cohesion report.

For many migrants in Australia, January 26 represents a significant milestone: the moment they became citizens. This year, 20,600 individuals from more than 150 countries will make their citizenship pledges at Australia Day events nationwide, joining the ranks of over six million people who have become citizens since the inaugural ceremonies in 1949.

To mark the date, SBS News has spoken with five migrant Australians from India, South Sudan, Israel, China and Italy about what the day — and being Australian — means to them.

From tasting Vegemite to quiet reflection

Karan Raina came to Australia from India back in 2013 as a master’s student, chasing a fresh start and a chance to build his career in a place “known for its lifestyle and opportunity,” he tells SBS News.

Raina described his first experience of Australia Day in 2014 as a “welcome to the club moment”.

“Coming from overseas, the concept of a BBQ and a day at the beach was the quintessential Aussie experience I heard the most,” he says.

“I joined in by heading to the local park with some fellow students, trying Vegemite for the first time, and just soaking up the sun and the relaxed atmosphere.”

After 10 years in Australia, Raina says his January 26 plans are quieter and more reflective.

“I usually use the public holiday to relax, catch up with close friends and reflect on how far I’ve come since I first arrived with just a couple of suitcases in 2013.”

This year, he is also reflecting on his “dual identity” as a migrant.

“Even when things feel tense in the news or the media, I focus on the reality of my day-to-day life … For me, being Australian is about the contribution I make every day.”

‘This country is built by immigrants’

Chef Luca Quadri came to Australia from Italy in 2015. Eight years later, he became a citizen.

“I was already a chef, so for me, it was a little bit easier because I could get a sponsor, or I could get a skill visa through my skills as a chef,” he tells SBS News.

A decade after arriving, Quadri says he feels he is part of Australia now.

“I feel like I have two homes, one in Australia and one in Italy.”

Despite recent social tensions in Australia, partly driven by a spate of anti-immigration rallies, Quadri says he is unfazed, choosing to ignore the rhetoric.

“I don’t believe they’re [rallies] important because this country is built by immigrants. So I think they’re just people that don’t understand how this country works and how we arrived here.”

The first time he heard about 26 January was from a coworker, who told him: “It’s Australia Day tomorrow, we’re going to celebrate.”

“As an immigrant here, I don’t have [strong feelings about the date]. I just think that if it’s just a day when we celebrate Australia and as a country and we all get together … it should be celebrated.”

Listening to First Nations voices

Born in South Sudan, Andrew Gai is a family violence prevention practitioner and community advocate. He arrived in Australia in 2006 under the humanitarian visa program, and became a citizen in 2009.

Before then, Gai says he had never celebrated a country’s national day, and at first, he celebrated Australia Day passionately, but stopped after learning what the date represents for First Nations people.

“My community association used to organise youth and family fun days … We stopped organising this event,” he says.

“Recently, a couple of young people asked me if we were doing Australia Day event again and I said ‘sadly no’ and explained to them why and they understood.”

It’s a day that requires sensitivity and the acknowledgment of historical injustices, he tells SBS News.

“Australia Day cannot be approached as business as usual,” he says.

Gai is proud of his South Sudanese heritage, while at the same time, expresses gratitude for being Australian. He says seeing the recent anti-immigration rallies, including those planned for today, is disappointing.

But he believes “we are more united as Australians than what we hear in the media”.

“I call these rallies un-Australian as they carry divisive and racially motivated agenda,” Gai says.

“With exception of the First Nations peoples, we all came on different journeys, and all have very unique stories, but we all call Australia home now and no one should be made to feel like they don’t belong here.”

Pride despite division

Physiotherapist Gil Jelin and her husband moved to Australia from Israel in 2017.

“We always wanted to try living overseas, and in my last year of studies in Israel, I came to Australia to learn from a physio, that blew my mind … I decided I wanted to continue to work with him and it pushed us to immigrate,” she tells SBS News.

But as a Jewish migrant, Jelin says she “doesn’t feel great” being an Australian at the moment, especially in the wake of the 14 December Bondi terror attack.

“I feel that right now it’s as divided as it has ever been in the past eight years,” she says.

“So much hate, politics, people who think they know you or what you’ve been through. Feeling like the government doesn’t take antisemitism seriously enough … So, not a walk in the park.”

However, this Australia Day, Jelin plans to spend time with her family and friends.

“[We’ll] cheers our beers by the pool and enjoy the luxuries and privileges we have to be Australian.”

“We love this country and we are proud to be a part of it and celebrate this day,” she says.

Moving forward, not backward

Originally from China, Felix Dong moved to Australia as a student in 2011 to complete his university studies. He was granted permanent residency and later became a citizen in 2023.

“We are not allowed dual citizenship [in China], so choosing Australian citizenship means giving up many legal and practical ties to our country of origin … It also means returning to China in the future involves visas and additional barriers,” he tells SBS News.

“I feel proud of becoming an Australian … and I believe Australia’s success as a multicultural country comes from strong legislation and genuine implementation.”

Over the years, Dong has spent Australia Day like many other public holidays — occasionally attending community activities or taking a break.

“Like many international students, my early understanding was quite limited. Occasionally, I attended community events, but it did not initially carry a deep personal meaning for me.”

“The most meaningful Australia Day experience for me was the year I became a citizen. That was the first time the day felt truly significant on a personal level,” Dong says.

Dong says he was touched to learn the meaning behind certain Australian iconography — such as the kangaroo and emu, which can’t easily move backwards — symbolising a nation moving forward.

“This kind of shared belief is what brings people together across race, age and background.”

This story was produced in collaboration with SBS Italian.

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