Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
How to Cancel Australia Day Without Being (Too) Political
1. The Weather. The ABC published a report this morning: “Australia Day family event in Adelaide cancelled.” Yes, the annual Aus Lights on the River, set to take place on the evening of Australia Day in Adelaide, has been called off due to extreme heat.
According to WeatherZone, Adelaide temperatures are set to reach 45 degrees Celsius—or “purple,” according to their colour-coding. The General Manager of the Australia Day Council of South Australia, Gwen Gaff, said: “I think the community will understand it. I think the community knows we have their best interest at heart, and it’s around the safety just due to the weather.”
So, that’s the first way you can cancel Australia Day without mentioning politics: the weather!
Interestingly, according to the article: “The Mourning in the Morning event will continue as planned.” Yes, the First Nations-led event will still go ahead. Apparently, the weather isn’t an issue early in the day.
According to the event’s website: “Gather at 7.30 am for a welcome to Kaurna country, followed by First Nations speakers, musicians, dancers, and interactive activities grounded in respect. The event will feature a smoking ceremony conducted by Elder Uncle Moogy Sumner.”
So never fear, Australia Day is still on—it’s just not about celebrating Australia anymore. It’s more about truth-telling, reflection, and acknowledging the negative impact of colonisation.
I’ll be there with bells on!
2. Financial Challenges. According to the Ocean Grove Voice: “Australia Day event cancelled.” Yes, the Free Children’s Fun Day at Rippleside Park in Geelong has been scrapped due to funding pressures. Don’t worry, it’s only been held annually for more than 60 years.
Geelong Australia Day Committee president, Colin Anderson, said: “We’ve had the same budget ($35,700) from the Geelong City Council for about the fifth year in a row, and with many of our suppliers, their costs have gone up quite a lot. For the last four years, we’ve been trimming where we could… but we got to the point where there was nothing left to trim.”
He noted that between the stagnant budget and a lack of volunteers, it simply became impossible to put on. Anderson added: “I feel for the thousands of children who have enjoyed this event over the past 60 years… we’re bitterly disappointed.”
So there you go, kids. No need to have fun on Australia Day. The Council ran out of money. Well, to be fair, they shifted the funding to the Festival of Sails instead, but apparently, the 60-year-old Rippleside tradition was the thing that had to go.
3. Dangerous Animals. And finally, the third way to cancel Australia Day without bringing in politics: Sharks.
News.com.au reported: “‘Difficult time’: Australia Day event cancelled after fourth shark attack.” Tragically, a 12-year-old boy has passed away in hospital after being attacked in Sydney Harbour last week. It is, obviously, a horrific tragedy and no laughing matter.
But as a result of the cluster of attacks—four in just 48 hours—the 10-year anniversary of the Sydney Harbour Splash swim is not going ahead. Between the murky water from recent rains and the sudden surge in activity, the organisers decided the risk was simply too high.
So, there you have it. Three ways to cancel Australia Day without ever having to mention a single political talking point: The Weather (it’s too purple), Financial Challenges (the budget went to a boat race instead), and Dangerous Animals (the ocean is currently a “no-go” zone).
What’s next? I assume by 2027 we’ll be cancelling the remaining barbeques because of a national shortage of tomato sauce, or perhaps a localised magpie uprising.
Regardless: Happy Australia Day.
MUSIC
Allégro by Emmit Fenn
How to Cancel Australia Day Without Being (Too) Political
1. The Weather. The ABC published a report this morning: “Australia Day family event in Adelaide cancelled.” Yes, the annual Aus Lights on the River, set to take place on the evening of Australia Day in Adelaide, has been called off due to extreme heat.
According to WeatherZone, Adelaide temperatures are set to reach 45 degrees Celsius—or “purple,” according to their colour-coding. The General Manager of the Australia Day Council of South Australia, Gwen Gaff, said: “I think the community will understand it. I think the community knows we have their best interest at heart, and it’s around the safety just due to the weather.”
So, that’s the first way you can cancel Australia Day without mentioning politics: the weather!
Interestingly, according to the article: “The Mourning in the Morning event will continue as planned.” Yes, the First Nations-led event will still go ahead. Apparently, the weather isn’t an issue early in the day.
According to the event’s website: “Gather at 7.30 am for a welcome to Kaurna country, followed by First Nations speakers, musicians, dancers, and interactive activities grounded in respect. The event will feature a smoking ceremony conducted by Elder Uncle Moogy Sumner.”
So never fear, Australia Day is still on—it’s just not about celebrating Australia anymore. It’s more about truth-telling, reflection, and acknowledging the negative impact of colonisation.
I’ll be there with bells on!
2. Financial Challenges. According to the Ocean Grove Voice: “Australia Day event cancelled.” Yes, the Free Children’s Fun Day at Rippleside Park in Geelong has been scrapped due to funding pressures. Don’t worry, it’s only been held annually for more than 60 years.
Geelong Australia Day Committee president, Colin Anderson, said: “We’ve had the same budget ($35,700) from the Geelong City Council for about the fifth year in a row, and with many of our suppliers, their costs have gone up quite a lot. For the last four years, we’ve been trimming where we could… but we got to the point where there was nothing left to trim.”
He noted that between the stagnant budget and a lack of volunteers, it simply became impossible to put on. Anderson added: “I feel for the thousands of children who have enjoyed this event over the past 60 years… we’re bitterly disappointed.”
So there you go, kids. No need to have fun on Australia Day. The Council ran out of money. Well, to be fair, they shifted the funding to the Festival of Sails instead, but apparently, the 60-year-old Rippleside tradition was the thing that had to go.
3. Dangerous Animals. And finally, the third way to cancel Australia Day without bringing in politics: Sharks.
News.com.au reported: “‘Difficult time’: Australia Day event cancelled after fourth shark attack.” Tragically, a 12-year-old boy has passed away in hospital after being attacked in Sydney Harbour last week. It is, obviously, a horrific tragedy and no laughing matter.
But as a result of the cluster of attacks—four in just 48 hours—the 10-year anniversary of the Sydney Harbour Splash swim is not going ahead. Between the murky water from recent rains and the sudden surge in activity, the organisers decided the risk was simply too high.
So, there you have it. Three ways to cancel Australia Day without ever having to mention a single political talking point: The Weather (it’s too purple), Financial Challenges (the budget went to a boat race instead), and Dangerous Animals (the ocean is currently a “no-go” zone).
What’s next? I assume by 2027 we’ll be cancelling the remaining barbeques because of a national shortage of tomato sauce, or perhaps a localised magpie uprising.
Regardless: Happy Australia Day.
MUSIC
Allégro by Emmit Fenn
