How Australia day was marked and what it means to Australians

Prime Minister Scott Morrison poses for a photo with new citizens during an Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony and Flag Raising event in Canberra. Source: AAP

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For most, gatherings were smaller than usual, protests were largely peaceful and public ceremonial events returned in a limited capacity- not virtual, which we have become used to due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Highlights

Thousands across the country took to the streets to protest and call for justice for First Nations people
COVID-19 restrictions meant that citizenship ceremonies were celebrated slightly differently this year
More than 800 Australians have been recognised for their outstanding advocacy, community or volunteer work, in the Australia Day Honours List

At the national flag-raising and citizenship ceremony in Canberra, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the date marked the day changed Australia changed forever.

"We do it on this day when the course of this land change forever. There is no escaping or canceling that fact, for better or worse, and worse. It was the moment where the journey to our modern Australia began, and it is this continuing Australian journey that we recognise today. Our stories since that day have been of sorrow and of joy, of loss and redemption, of failure and of success."