00:00 [Australian National Anthem]
00:06 As the anthem rang out, the flag rose at Victoria's Government House.
00:11 Today is a celebration of all that we are and all that we can be.
00:15 But Jacinta Allen acknowledged it isn't a celebration for everyone.
00:19 The story of Australia is incomplete without recognising 60,000 years and 2,500 generations.
00:28 We are not agreed on what we should celebrate and on the date that should be the moment
00:33 for our celebrations of Australia.
00:36 What should we celebrate?
00:39 For some it was a chance to celebrate the country's newest citizens.
00:43 It's wonderful, like it's a dream come true.
00:46 I'm very happy for the family and the kids that they're going to have a wonderful life
00:49 in Australia.
00:50 These are some of the more than 20,000 people who became Australians today.
00:54 Very special for the family and we got at least one on the way.
00:59 Elsewhere people took to the river to soak up the sun and have a barbecue, a beer or
01:06 a boat ride.
01:08 For others the day has been one of sombre reflection.
01:13 On St Kilda's foreshore the day started with the Weekend Dillinger morning ceremony.
01:17 Your presence is a pebble that creates the ripple that provides the catalyst for change.
01:24 Organisers spoke out against vandals who yesterday damaged a statue of Captain Cook nearby.
01:29 They thought they may have been acting in our name and our community and they were not.
01:35 Commemoration of Victoria's first people continue to cheer the spirit.
01:40 The state's largest and longest running Indigenous festival.
01:46 This is the 21st edition of this festival.
01:48 There are thousands expected to be here throughout the evening on a solemn day for First Nations
01:53 people.
01:54 It's also a chance to celebrate culture and survival.
01:57 You let it all go out there and when you come through the gates you just let it all go in
02:05 here.
02:06 Looking to the future and acknowledging the past.
02:08 [BLANK_AUDIO]
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