Celebrities speaking out against January 26 celebrations

Ben Lawson

Australian actor Ben Lawson made his frustration with the day known on Monday, taking to Instagram to re-post a poem he wrote and performed on social media last year.

The video, captioned ‘The 26th of January: A poem for Australia Day ❤️????????’, features Ben speaking the three-minute poem to the camera. Lines like ‘We know the drill, things went downhill when white men first arrived, don’t focus on the bad bits though, it’s just some genocide,” made his strong feelings about the day known.

You can watch his poem below.

Brooke Blurton

The most recent Bachelorette is a vocal advocate against January 26 and what it represents. A Noongar Yamatji woman, Brooke began to share posts in opposition to the day earlier this week.

Also taking to her stories, Brookes shared a video from Dalara Williams encapsulating a range of footage of Indigenous Australians throughout the last few decades, overlayed with the voices of Indigenous people speaking about the unfair way they have been treated.

Brooke also shared a caption on a post written by human rights activist Nessa Turnbull Roberts, who shared an image of herself at an Invasion Day rally.

“January 26th It’s political, it’s personal, it’s Collective and it’s one of the most horrific days for our nation,” she wrote.

“Show up on the right side of history and truth,” she encouraged people.

Brooke also took to Instagram again on the eve of the 26th with kind words encouraging her fellow mob to take care of themselves in the lead up to the day.

"Tomorrow is a big day for us. A day of anxiousness, pain, mourning. Self care is priority tonight."

Matty J

Beloved former Bachelor Matty J made an Instagram reel on Tuesday making his feelings on January 26 very clear.

Using the popular soundbite from Sesame Street, he pointed out the public holidays he enjoys - like Easter, and ANZAC Day, with January 26 coming up to align with the negative part of the dialogue, where Elmo is forced to say hello to Rocco.

He captioned the reel 'Can't wait till they change the date #invasionday', and went on to defend his stance in the comments.

WATCH BELOW: Matty J makes his feelings on January 26 known

Osher Gunsberg

Television host Osher Gunsberg has also made his feelings known about January 26, but mostly by saying nothing at all.

Instead, he handed the reins of his Instagram over to Gomeroi woman Amy Thunig, an education academic whom Osher met when she came on the show to support Brooke Blurton.

Amy uploaded an introductory video, explaining what she hoped to achieve while running his account, which Osher captioned with his thoughts on the day.

"I’m an immigrant, a citizen, and I love this country with all of my heart. The life this nation has given me and my family wouldn’t have happened anywhere else on this planet. And just because life here is excellent for most of us doesn’t mean it can’t be excellent for all of us," Osher penned.

"We can do better. We have to do better. I feel that starts with learning about where we are, and how we got to now.

"I truly believe that by getting to know one another, together we can find a better way for us all to face the challenge of the future as one."

WATCH BELOW: Amy Thunig takes over Osher's Instagram on January 26

Jesinta Franklin

Jesinta Franklin is often very vocal on social media when it comes to the rights of Indigenous people, given that her husband, Lance 'Buddy' Franklin is a Noongar-Wajuk man, making her kids half Indigenous as well.

She took to Instagram with a short message yesterday, writing "There's no excuse for anyone in this country not to know why tomorrow, 26th January, is a hurtful day to celebrate "Australia Day". If you are still unaware, I have linked some useful slides that I hope you take the time to read."

She went on to share a few posts from Rachael Sarra, Nessa Turnbull-Roberts, and more.