Australia Day continues to spark debate across the country, and in Cairns that divide was on full display as two very different rallies unfolded on January 26.
Around 150 people gathered at Fogarty Park for a Strength and Survival march organised by grassroots group Blaktivation. Participants called for January 26 to be recognised as a day that acknowledges the resilience of First Nations peoples and the ongoing impacts of colonisation. Speakers urged truth‑telling, healing and a shift in how the date is understood and commemorated.
At midday, a separate March for Australia event drew several hundred people to the Cairns Esplanade. Carrying Australian flags, attendees voiced concerns about the direction of modern Australia and expressed support for keeping January 26 as the national day.
Despite the contrasting messages, police confirmed both rallies remained peaceful, each offering a snapshot of the differing perspectives that continue to shape the national conversation around Australia Day.
