1st February, 2016
Australia’s National Day of Thanksgiving will now be known as the National Day of Thanks to avoid confusion with Thanksgiving Day in the US.
Organisers have announced they made the decision at a meeting in December. Along with the name change, the day also has a new website which can now be found at www.austhanks.org.au.
The National Day of Thanks will be held on 28th May this year. The day – described by organisers as a "day for all Australians to pause as a nation and say thank you to God, and to each other for those many things we often take for granted – was first held in 2004.
It was initially held on the Saturday of Pentecost weekend but in 2009 was changed to being held on the last Saturday of May each year.
Each year there is a suggested human focus for our thanks (God is thanked every year) and in 2016 organisers have suggested the focus be on those working in medicine, medical research and health care as well as "unsung heroes" in the community.
Churches and Christians across Australia are expected to once again be involved in marking the day.
– DAVID ADAMS