Western Australians have marked Australia Day with a diverse range of events, from citizenship ceremonies to community gatherings. But there was also recognition of the complex feelings many people hold towards the day – with Indigenous elders appealing for unity and respect.
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00:00From an ocean swim in Esperance, to barbecues in Broome, and tennis on the beach in Geraldton,
00:12it was a chance to catch up with family and friends for some, while others were celebrating
00:24a big milestone.
00:42Here in South Perth, 100 people from 37 different countries celebrated becoming Australian citizens,
00:49but some other councils, including Mosman Park and Fremantle, have decided to hold the
00:53citizenship ceremony on a different date.
00:59Australia Day marks the arrival of the First Fleet, and is referred to by some as Invasion
01:03Day.
01:06In Bunbury, some community members held a moment of silence at the Wodandi Memorial
01:11Park, a reburial site for ancestral remains.
01:15It was a time for our people to have a space to talk about how they feel about Australia
01:21Day.
01:22To catch up with that sort of spiritual feeling and that confidence and that process of healing
01:28that I can be able to cope for the rest of the day.
01:30Noongar elders called for respect and empathy.
01:33I know it's our Australia Day today, but please, this is our mourning time.
01:40We have mourned for many, many years.
01:42Give us that support and love so that we can continue and be one happy nation.
01:49We should take the opportunity to just create an inclusive, safe and happy and prosperous
01:54community.
01:56The Sky Show in Perth's CBD is expected to draw 100,000 people to the banks of the
02:02Swan River on Sunday evening.