Yes, a fixture from late afternoon through to the evening is not an issue, and, yes, a society should affirm important religious occasions.
It's a bit like the Australian values test for new comers,
1. Let's celebrate by recognising the unequivocal historical basis of our liberal democracy as Judeo-Christian in its philosophy and theology.
2. Let's celebrate our Good Friday patronage in worship
3. And further celebrate it through whatever endeavours we might enjoy - cultural, art, musical, book reading, family, events, theatre, cinema, sport....
People are desperate to come to Australia to enjoy what our Christian heritage carries - freedom to enjoy.... and celebrate different cultural heritages.
Let's send the right message - following Jesus and having the 'best' time of our lives run together in a parallel journey.
I do not advocate that we revert to a destructive idealism that sits dangerously comfortable with what so many immigrants have been so energized to escape from (their old lives / situations).
We should hold worship and entertainment (such as sport) side by side (they are not mutually exclusive by any means) like arms raised to the Lord in pleasure and joy.
We should be like Moses' servants and help by holding up those arms. My opinion is that we should be vigilant about whatever murky intention would be behind those who want to pull those arms down.
After all, we are not compelling anyone to attend a football match on Good Friday or any other day. Those who want to celebrate the Resurrection in silent and solemn prayer or worship at a Church are perfectly able to do so if that is their preference – those people do NOT have to attend any sporting, cultural, or other event if they don't want to. This is what our Australian freedoms are all about.
Even in our Judeo-Christian history, not everyone actually celebrates Good Friday as a religious day, not to mention the more recent immigration of non-Christian peoples. Our Australian 'fair go' culture should allow those people to enjoy whatever secular function they like on that day.