AUSTRALIA DAY IN MELBOURNE, VICTORIA STATE
Every year on the 26th January, Australia celebrates its national day throughout the country. Australia Day as it is known is an official national day of Australia. It is a date to commemorate the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788. The day is marked by the presentation of the Australian of the Year Awards on Australia Day Eve, announcement of the Honours List for the Order of Australia, addresses from the Governor-General, Governors, Prime Minister as well as Premiers. With community festivals, concerts and citizenship ceremonies, the day is celebrated in large and small communities and cities around the nation.
In Melbourne, the Australian Day was celebrated at the Melbourne Town Hall located at 19, Swanston Street, Melbourne CBD. Almost all consular representatives attended the function at the Town Hall. A morning tea reception was first held at the second floor of the Town Hall (Yarra Room), and followed by a flag raising ceremony in front of the Town Hall at Swanston Street. The ceremony was witnessed by the Governor of Victoria, H.E Alex Chernov, and was also attended by the Premier of Victoria, Honourable Ted Baillieu and the Right Honourable Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne, Robert Doyle. The Consul General of Malaysia and officers were also in attendance.
After the flag ceremony event, the Consul General Dr. Mohamad Rameez and his wife as well as other officers of the Consulate General joined with the Malaysian Community of Melbourne in the People’s March. The March started from Swanston Street and ended at the Federation Square, St Kilda Road. There were about 77 communities of different nationalities and groups in Melbourne that participated in the March. The Malaysian Community of Melbourne comprised of more than 50 people raised the Malaysian Flag, and played “kompang” during the Marching which received the salute of the Governor of Victoria. Other than the Malaysian community, the Korean, Filipino, Thai, Vietnamese, Pakistani, Indian, and the Lebanese communities also joined the March.
| The Consul General of Malaysia, Dr Mohamad Rameez, the Consul General of Japan on his right and the Deputy Consul General of China on his left and the Consul General of Turkey |
| The Premier of Victoria, the Honourable Ted Baillieu, Dr Mohamad Rameez, Counsellor Ken Ong of the Mayor’s Office and Consulate General of Malaysia’s Officers and family members |
| People marching with Dr Rameez, wife and other Malaysians in Melbourne |