We-Akon Dilinja

The Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council, in partnership with City of Port Phillip, will be hosting the annual We-Akon Dilinja (Mourning Reflection) on Sunday 26 January 2025 at Alfred Square, St Kilda.

2025 ceremony

The theme for 2025 is ‘Reflect, Respect, Celebrate’.

Time: 5.45 am, Sunday 26 January 2025

Location: Alfred Square, St Kilda

The Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council invite all members of the community to join us for this dawn ceremony to reflect, respect, and celebrate together. This dawn ceremony will feature musical performances and a smoking ceremony, and will be livestreamed on this webpage for those unable to attend in person.

Seating: Seating is limited and will be prioritised for Elders and those who may have difficulty standing for extended periods.

No bookings are required.

This ceremony presented by the Boonwurrung Land and Sea Council, in partnership with City of Port Phillip, and supported by the National Australia Day Council.

2025 Program

  • Introductory Performance
  • Didgeridoo Player - Kiernan Ironfield
  • Boonwurrung Welcome Song - James Henry
  • A Homage to the Boonwurrung People - Fay Stewart Muir OAM – Boonwurrung Elder
  • Performance - John Wayne Parsons
  • Reading Josh Burns MP
  • Performance
    James Henry and Melbourne String Ensemble alumni.
    Piper Carter-Williams (violin); Pascal Uxo Williams (viola);
    Harriet Carter-Williams (cello)
  • Reading - Cr Louise Crawford, Mayor, City of Port Phillip
  • Boonwurrung Keynote Address
  • Closing Performance
  • Smoking Ceremony - led by Willie Pepper

Assisted by the Australian Government through the National Australia Day Council