We acknowledge and celebrate a range of awareness days, weeks and cultural festivals throughout the year.
How we decide dates of recognition
These dates reflect:
- cultural and social traditions and observances, such as Christmas, Easter and Lunar New Year
- public holidays days, such as Australia Day and ANZAC Day
- themed awareness days, weeks or months designed to educate and build a greater understanding and awareness of social issues, such as diversity, reconciliation, mental health and volunteering
- events relevant to Boroondara.
Our communications with the community and activities, such as lighting up the Hawthorn Arts Centre Clock Tower, vary depending on the date of recognition.
We consider the following principles when we decide the dates of recognition to acknowledge and celebrate:
- How the date links with our policies and plans, including the Boroondara Community Plan objectives and our health priorities.
- How the date helps address community needs and issues and can be included as part of the services we provide.
- Any long-standing cultural, historical and community practices and traditions.
We review the dates of recognition each year.
2024 dates of recognition
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Australia Day | 26 January |
| Lunar New Year | 10 February (commencement day) |
| International Women's Day | 8 March |
| Easter/Orthodox Easter | March/May |
| Cultural Diversity Week (including Harmony Day and International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March) | 18–24 March |
| Anniversary of fatality of Boroondara police officers | 22 April |
| ANZAC Day | 25 April |
| Neighbourhood House Week | 13–19 May |
| IDAHOBIT (also known as International Day Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination) | 17 May |
| National Volunteer Week | 20–26 May |
| National Reconciliation Week (including National Sorry Day on 26 May) | 27 May to 3 June |
| Men’s Health Week | 10–16 June |
| NAIDOC Week | 7–14 July |
| National Homelessness Week | 5–11 August |
| Wear it purple day supporting LGBTIQ+ young people | 30 August |
| Youth Fest (formerly National Youth Week) | September |
| Women’s Health Week | Second week September |
| Australian National Flag Day | 3 September |
| Blue Ribbon Day | 29 September |
| Community Safety Month | October |
| Mental Health Month | October |
| International Day of Older Persons (coincides with Victorian Seniors Festival) | 1 October |
| Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day | 15 October |
| Children’s Week | 18–27 October |
| Diwali | 1 November |
| National Recycling Week | 10–19 November |
| Remembrance Day | 11 November |
| 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence | 25 November to 10 December |
| International Day of People with Disability | 3 December |
| International Volunteer Day | 5 December |
| Christmas | December |