The One Thing 406 Long weekends: Blessings or curses?
Long weekends and public holidays can be a disruption to the rhythm of ministry through the year. How can we use them for the benefit of ministry?
We ask:
- What is being celebrated and how does it affect what we do?
- How does my community celebrate and what does that mean for our ministry?
- Is this a time to lean forward into mission or lean back into rest?
TOOL BOX:
2025 Long Weekends in Australia
1. January 25–27: Australia Day
- **Holiday**: Australia Day, Monday, January 27 (January 26 falls on a Sunday, so the public holiday shifts to Monday).
- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, January 25 to Monday, January 27.
- Observed nationwide.
2. March 1–3: Labour Day (Western Australia)
- **Holiday**: Labour Day, Monday, March 3.
- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, March 1 to Monday, March 3.
- **Notes**: Applies to Western Australia only.
3. March 8–10: Labour Day (Victoria)
- **Holiday**: Labour Day, Monday, March 10.
- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, March 8 to Monday, March 10.
- Applies to Victoria only.
4. April 18–20: Good Friday
- **Holiday**: Good Friday, Friday, April 18.
- **Long Weekend**: Friday, April 18 to Sunday, April 20.
- Notes: Observed nationwide.
5. April 19–21: Easter Monday
- **Holiday**: Easter Monday, Monday, April 21.
- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, April 19 to Monday, April 21.
- Observed nationwide. Combined with Good Friday, this often creates a four-day weekend (April 18–21) in most states.
6. April 25–27: Anzac Day
- **Holiday**: Anzac Day, Friday, April 25.
- **Long Weekend**: Friday, April 25 to Sunday, April 27.
- Observed nationwide. Always on April 25, regardless of the day of the week.
7. May 3–5: May Day (Northern Territory)
- **Holiday**: May Day, Monday, May 5.
- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, May 3 to Monday, May 5.
- Applies to Northern Territory only.
8. May 31–June 2: Western Australia Day (Western Australia)
- **Holiday**: Western Australia Day, Monday, June 2.
- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, May 31 to Monday, June 2.
- Applies to Western Australia only.
9. June 7–9: King’s Birthday (Most Regions)
- **Holiday**: King’s Birthday, Monday, June 9.
- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, June 7 to Monday, June 9.
- Observed in most states and territories (except Queensland and Western Australia, which celebrate it later).
10. August 2–4: Picnic Day (Northern Territory)
- **Holiday**: Picnic Day, Monday, August 4.
- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, August 2 to Monday, August 4.
- Applies to Northern Territory only.
11. September 27–29: King’s Birthday (Western Australia)
- **Holiday**: King’s Birthday, Monday, September 29.
- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, September 27 to Monday, September 29.
- Applies to Western Australia only. Date may vary slightly by proclamation.
12. October 4–6: King’s Birthday (Queensland)
- **Holiday**: King’s Birthday, Monday, October 6.
- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, October 4 to Monday, October 6.
- Applies to Queensland only.
13. October 4–6: Labour Day (ACT, NSW, SA)
- **Holiday**: Labour Day, Monday, October 6.
- **Long Weekend**: Saturday, October 4 to Monday, October 6.
- Applies to Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, and South Australia only.
14. December 25–28: Christmas Day and Boxing Day
- **Holidays**: Christmas Day, Thursday, December 25; Boxing Day, Friday, December 26.
- **Long Weekend**: Thursday, December 25 to Sunday, December 28.
CREDITS:
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