FOR many, the celebration of Australia Day is exactly that - a singular day.
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However, for the third year in a row, the Flinders region will celebrate the nation's society and landscape across two days of music, culture, community, food, markets and art during the Furneaux Islands Festival.
The event was initiated several years ago when it was recognised by members of the Flinders Council that celebrating Australia Day on January 26 created a divisive nature for a large proportion of the community.
Consequently, over the years 2012-2013, a number of Flinders Council workshops were held to discuss options for an inclusive way of celebrating our nation's heritage.
At the time of the council motion two local residents, Judy Jacques and Sandro Donati, were curating an exhibition on the history of music and dance on the Furneaux Islands, and inspired through this the Furneaux Islands Festival was born.
Flinders mayor Carol Cox said the event was a celebration of community, history and multiculturalism.
"It is not so much about the date: it is about our communities celebrating being Australian in our our own way," she said.
"It shouldn't be about Aboriginality, it shouldn't be about where you were born: it is about our community today as a whole recognising our joint connection to the islands and Australia."
While the Furneaux Islands Festival provides an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate where they live, the Flinders region also keeps January 26 free for community members to choose how they would like to spend it.
"Communities need to do what's right for them and each community is different and should have their own approach," Cr Cox said.
Those interested in finding out more about the festival should visit http://www.fifestival.com.au.