26 January 2023
Australian High Commission celebrates Australia Day 2023
The Australian High Commission marked this year’s Australia Day by holding a reception at the High Commission’s residence which was attended by His Excellency, Mr Prithvirajsing Roopun G.C.S.K, President of the Republic of Mauritius, the Honourable Pravind Jugnauth, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, members of the Government, private sector, civil society, and the Australian community.
Australia Day is the official National Day of Australia. It is a time for Australians to reflect on and acknowledge the nation’s past, to learn about the country’s national journey, including the ongoing history, traditions, and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Australia’s First Peoples are the traditional custodians of Australia’s lands and waterways and have a fundamental role in the great Australian story – a story which began over 60,000 years ago.
Annual Australia Day celebrations reflect Australia’s diverse society and are marked by community and family events, reflections on Australian history, official community awards and citizenship ceremonies welcoming new members of the Australian community.
Australia’s Charge d’Affaires to Mauritius, Ms Keara Shaw said: “Here in Mauritius, Australia Day is a time to reflect on the long-shared journey of friendship and the strong ties that bind our peoples and enrich both our countries. Australia and Mauritius are natural partners. We are island nations and neighbours in the Indian Ocean. Australia and Mauritius have a longstanding and warm relationship which is set to grow even further through increased education and research partnerships and two-way trade.”
Ms Shaw also noted that 2023 marks the return of the Australia Awards Africa scholarships, Australia’s flagship development assistance programme for Africa. Australia Awards scholarships are prestigious international awards for the next generation of leaders who will make an enduring contribution to their country’s sustainable development. Applications will open on 1 February 2023 to professionals in Mauritius and Rodrigues in the public, private and civil society sectors for Masters scholarships in the areas of Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security, Mining and Energy and Foreign Policy and International Security. Applications will close on 1 May 2023. More information is available at:
https://www.dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/australia-awards/australia-awards-scholarship