On a bright Saturday afternoon in Flemington, Debneys Park came alive with colour, laughter, and the unmistakable warmth of community. Shades of sky blue — the proud colours of the Somali flag — stretched across the grounds as hundreds of families, children, elders, and friends gathered to celebrate the Somali Day Australia Festival 2026. The air was filled with the sound of music, the smell of a sizzling BBQ, and the joyful shrieks of children enjoying rides. It was, by every measure, a spectacular occasion — and a powerful reminder of what it means to belong.

Hosted by Somali Community Inc. Victoria, the festival brought together the Somali community and friends from across Victoria for a day of culture, heritage, and unity. The incredible turnout — spanning generations, backgrounds, and organisations — spoke volumes about the vitality and togetherness of our community here in Melbourne.

A Two-Part Celebration

The Somali Day Australia Festival is celebrated in two meaningful parts. The first moment of pride took place on 1 July, when the Somali flag was raised at the iconic Federation Square in the heart of Melbourne — marking Somali Independence Day, the historic day in 1960 when Somalia gained its independence. The flag-raising ceremony is a solemn and joyful act of remembrance — a moment that connects Somali Australians to their roots and declares their heritage with pride to the wider city.

The second part — the main community celebration — arrived on 19 July 2026 at Debneys Park, Flemington, where the broader community came together to celebrate Somali culture, share food, enjoy performances and honour the elders and leaders who have helped build this community in Victoria. You can learn more about the full format and history of the event on the Somali Day Australia Festival page.

The Day Unfolds — Atmosphere, Activities and Food

From the moment guests arrived, Debneys Park had the feel of a true community festival. Stalls and banners framed the grounds, children ran between activities, and groups of elders sat together in conversation under the open sky. Face painting stations drew long, excited queues, while the pirate ship ride and the Candy Swing kept children entertained throughout the afternoon. Somali music set the mood across the park, giving the celebration a festive energy that was impossible to resist.

No community festival is complete without great food, and the BBQ team delivered in style. Hundreds of sausages were served throughout the day — particularly beloved by the youngest guests — with queues forming as the aroma drifted across the park. Smiles were everywhere, and the atmosphere was nothing short of wonderful.

Distinguished Guests

We were deeply honoured by the presence of distinguished guests from all levels of government, law enforcement and the Somali community. Their attendance reflects the growing recognition of the Somali community's contribution to multicultural Victoria and the strength of the relationships we have built across the political and civic landscape.

• Jo Briskey MP — Federal Member for Maribyrnong
• Richard Welch MP — State Member for North-Eastern Metropolitan, representing Opposition Leader Jess Wilson
• Ellen Sandell MP — Member for Melbourne
• Anasina Gray-Barberio MP — Northern Metropolitan
• Cr Rose Iser — Mayor of Moonee Valley City Council
• Cr Hamish Jones — Moonee Valley City Council
• Cr Ava Adams — Moonee Valley City Council
• Senior Sergeant Peter Sambell — Victoria Police
• Yasac Abdullahi — Victoria Police
• Yonis Abdullahi — Victoria Police
• Abdullahi Mohamed Bulle — Somali Community Elder
• Suldan Abdi Shuriye — Somali Community Elder
• Suldan Ahmed Ajeh Yusuf — Somali Community Elder

African and Somali Community Leaders

The festival was enriched by the presence of leaders from across the broader African community in Victoria, reflecting the spirit of solidarity and shared celebration that makes events like this so meaningful.

We warmly welcomed:

• Dr. Berhan M. Ahmed — CEO, Africause
• Fred Alale AM — Chair, African Music and Cultural Festival (AMCF)
• Bachir Mohamed — President, Djiboutian Community Council of Australia
• Tesfaye Yigzawe — President, Ethiopian Community Association in Victoria
• Dr. Michael Muleme — President, Uganda the Pearl of Africa Victoria Association Inc.
• Derrick Chabala — President, Zambian Association for Victoria
• Wonnah Sahn — President, Liberian Community of Victoria Inc.
• Yasseen Musa — Vice President, Eritrean Jeberti Community
• Sisay Dinku — Managing Director, Multicultural Consulting Services
• Rober Aduer Ring

The Somali community was also beautifully represented by a number of dedicated leaders and organisations:

• Ahmed Dini — Australian Somali Football Association and United Through Football
• Liban Yusuf — President, Somali Australian Friendship Association (SAFA)
• Istanbul Serar — Coordinator, Somali Women's Group
• Ayan Dahir — Mama Teach Me My Culture
• Ifrah — Ifka Culture Hub

Children and Youth — The Heart of the Festival

If there was one group that truly captured the spirit of the day, it was the children. Young faces lit up with excitement as they moved from one activity to the next — lining up for face painting, screaming with delight on the pirate ship ride, and spinning on the Candy Swing. Their joy was infectious and reminded every adult present of why events like this matter so deeply.

Special recognition goes to the young basketball players who proudly participated in the celebration, representing the next generation of Somali Australians with confidence and talent.

Children also took part in the HWPL Harmony Challenge Target Game — a beautifully conceived activity that teaches young people about respect, inclusion, diversity, Somali heritage, friendship, kindness and positive relationships. It was a reminder that our community programs extend far beyond formal settings — culture is taught and caught in moments of play, celebration and togetherness.

Thank You to Our Volunteers and Team

An event of this scale does not happen without an extraordinary amount of work behind the scenes. We extend our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to every volunteer who gave their time, energy and commitment to make the day run so smoothly. You are the backbone of this community.

Particular thanks go to the MMT Team — Abdisalam Ali and Harbi Fareey — for their outstanding coordination and dedication. We also thank Ahmed Yare from Damal TV for capturing the day so beautifully. You can watch highlights from the festival and browse our Community in Action gallery online.

Flemington Rotary Club — Thank You for the BBQ

A warm and sincere thank you goes to the Flemington Rotary Club and the entire BBQ team, who worked tirelessly throughout the day to serve hundreds of sausages to our guests — particularly the children, who made their way back to the BBQ table more than once! Their generous service and cheerful presence added so much warmth to the event, and we are grateful for their ongoing partnership with our community.

Moonee Valley City Council — Our Major Partner

This festival would simply not have been possible without the generous and unwavering support of Moonee Valley City Council, our major sponsor and partner. Their commitment to supporting culturally diverse communities within the municipality is reflected not only in their financial contribution but in the personal attendance of the Mayor and two councillors on the day.

To Mayor Cr Rose Iser, Cr Hamish Jones and Cr Ava Adams, and to everyone at Moonee Valley City Council who worked behind the scenes to make this event a reality — thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. Your investment in the Somali community is seen, felt and deeply appreciated.

What This Festival Means — And What Comes Next

The Somali Day Australia Festival is more than a single afternoon in a park. It is a living declaration of who we are — a community that honours its past, celebrates its present and looks forward to its future with confidence and pride. Events like this build bridges: between generations, between Somali Australians and their neighbours, and between our community and the institutions that serve us.

Each year the festival grows — in attendance, in the richness of its program and in the depth of the relationships it strengthens. If you look back at the Somali Day Australia Festival 2019, you can see just how far we have come. We are immensely proud of that journey.

Culture is not something we preserve behind glass — it is something we live, share and pass on, together, in moments like these.

— Somali Community Inc. Victoria

We also celebrate the achievements and contributions of outstanding members of our community through our annual AUSOM Awards Night — a night of recognition and pride that complements everything the festival stands for.

To everyone who attended, volunteered, sponsored, or simply showed up with a smile — thank you. You are what makes this community extraordinary. We look forward to seeing you again next year — bigger, brighter and even more united.

If you would like to be part of the team that makes the Somali Day Australia Festival happen, we would love to hear from you. Visit our get involved page to find out how you can volunteer with us, or contact us if you have any questions or ideas. Together, we keep this culture alive.