On 26 January, the shores of Lake Wendouree will be the venue for Ballarat’s fifth Survival Day Dawn Ceremony.

On 26 January 2024, the shores of Lake Wendouree will once again be the venue for Ballarat’s Survival Day Dawn Ceremony.

The 2024 Ballarat Survival Day Dawn Ceremony will be the 5th reflection and healing event hosted by the City of Ballarat’s Koorie Engagement Action Group (KEAG) Advisory Committee in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members.   
While a day of mourning, 26 January is also a day to mark the survival of ongoing traditions and cultures.  
The Survival Day Dawn Ceremony is an inclusive event, welcoming all to join in solidarity for truth telling and healing.    
First Nations’ community, one and all will gather to remember, to celebrate resilience, to strengthen murrup (spirit) by practicing culture through song, story sharing and unity.  
In 2024 the Dawn Ceremony will be followed by free activities through the day and a 1:30pm botanical healing Ceremony for all.

The 2024 Survival Day Dawn Ceremony will commence at 5.30am on 26 January at Viewpoint, Lake Wendouree. Just some of the community contributing to this event alongside the Koorie Engagement Action Group include MC Belinda Duarte AM, The Harris Family, Uncle Paul Kirby, Uncle Andrew Jackomos PSM, and Wadawurrung ba-gurrk Bonnie Chew and family.  
From 9am in 2024 View Point will be a place to pull up a chair with a cuppa from a nearby café and participate in free Survival Day events including live performances, cultural crafting activities, a Welcome Weaving Circle, yidaki workshops and a 1:30pm botanical reflection and healing ceremony hosted by Wadawurrung members.