NOT A DATE WE CELEBRATE POLICY

MaOchre Policy

“Not a Date We Celebrate – Australia Day”

Approved by: Board of Directors
Applies to: MaOchre Gallery & MaOchre Grassroots Indigenous Corporation
Effective from: 26 January (annually and ongoing)
Next Review: Annually

 

 

1. Purpose

MaOchre acknowledges that 26 January represents invasion, dispossession, violence and ongoing trauma for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This policy exists to ensure that MaOchre operates with cultural integrity, historical truth and community leadership by clearly stating that 26 January is not a date we celebrate.

MaOchre chooses to stand in solidarity with First Nations peoples by honouring survival, resilience and continuing culture, not colonisation.

 

 

2. Position Statement

MaOchre formally recognises that:

  • 26 January marks the beginning of British invasion of Aboriginal lands

  • This date represents loss of land, language, family, and life

  • The trauma of colonisation is ongoing and intergenerational

  • Celebrating on this date causes harm to Aboriginal communities

Therefore:

MaOchre does not recognise 26 January as a day of celebration.
We recognise it as a day of mourning, truth-telling, reflection and survival.

 

 

3. How MaOchre Will Hold the Day

On or around 26 January each year, MaOchre will hold the day with respect, care and cultural awareness.

Where appropriate, MaOchre may continue daily operations as normal, including opening the gallery, running workshops, and conducting business, provided that:

  • No activities are framed as “Australia Day” celebrations

  • No nationalistic or colonial symbolism is used

  • All programming aligns with MaOchre’s values of truth, respect and cultural safety

In addition, MaOchre may choose to:

  • Display signage stating “Not a Date We Celebrate”

  • Offer free or low-cost cultural, creative or healing activities

  • Share truth-telling content about Aboriginal history and survival

  • Create space for community voices, Elders and artists

The intent is to ensure the day is acknowledged appropriately, not ignored or commercialised.

 

 

4. What MaOchre Will Not Do

MaOchre will not:

  • Run “Australia Day” themed sales, parties or promotions

  • Decorate with nationalistic or colonial symbols on this date

  • Participate in activities that erase or diminish Aboriginal history

  • Pressure staff, artists or community members to “celebrate”

 

 

5. Staff, Artists & Volunteers

All MaOchre staff, artists, facilitators and volunteers are expected to:

  • Respect that this date may be emotionally distressing for many

  • Avoid language that minimises invasion or colonisation

  • Support Aboriginal people who choose to mourn, reflect or withdraw

  • Uphold MaOchre’s public position with professionalism

Where required, staff may request flexible arrangements on or around 26 January if the day is personally or culturally significant.

 

 

6. Community Education Role

MaOchre is a place of learning, not denial.

We commit to:

  • Sharing accurate history

  • Uplifting Aboriginal voices

  • Hosting conversations that promote truth and healing

  • Challenging harmful myths about “settlement”

We believe healing begins with honesty.

 

 

7. Public Communications

All MaOchre communications on or around 26 January will reflect:

“We honour the oldest living cultures on Earth.
We do not celebrate invasion.
We stand for truth, dignity and survival.”

This applies to social media, newsletters, signage, exhibitions and events.

 

 

8. Alignment with MaOchre Values

This policy aligns with MaOchre’s core commitments to:

  • Cultural integrity

  • Truth-telling

  • Healing through the arts

  • Indigenous self-determination

  • Respect for Elders and Country

 

 

9. Review

This policy will be reviewed annually in consultation with:

  • Aboriginal community members

  • Elders and cultural advisors

  • MaOchre artists and staff