Australia Day celebrated across country as speakers urge reflection, unity

Australia Day has been commemorated and celebrated around the country, with more than 12,000 new citizens welcomed.

Protest events have been largely peaceful; however, several people have been arrested in central Sydney and two people who appeared to be counter-protesters were briefly detained in Melbourne.

The day began with the WugulOra ceremony in Sydney, complete with traditional Indigenous dances and a smoking ceremony.

In a Welcome to Country, Yvonne Weldon, chairperson of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, called for Australia to own its past.

“Let us all acknowledge and remember the many sacrifices of my people, the sacrifices then and the…