I am no more Australian as the child born today as Australian, the 10th generation Australian, the immigrant that became a naturalised citizen of Australian and even the Indigenous original Australian/ Torres Strait Islanders. I also do not class myself as 'Australian' above any other Australians. We, each and everyone of us are Australians and should be treating each other as respected proper Australians, no matter what back we originated.
Click here for Wikipedia meaning of Australian
Understanding that 'Australia Day' is a celebration of our country being discovered and settled by the British Government of the Day, I now feel that this 'discovery' brought Australia to who we are today. That means that all of us Australians are included and Local Governments confirm that every time we have celebrations for Australia Day.
We have started to celebrate 'Australia Day' in the early days as 1804 with 'First Landing Day' or ' Foundation Day' as from 26th January 1804, as when Caption James Cook placed the Union Jack on Australian soil on 26th January 1770. This was named by the white people of the day and was changed in 1935 in all States of Australia to 'Australia Day', so that all people within Australia is included. The public holiday of 26th January was recognised as from the year 1994.
Click here for history of Australia Day
So we have had our changes to accommodate our original indigenous Australians and Torres Strait Islanders. I always say to everyone who is Australian and thinks they are above others, 'Can you tell me if all Australians were standing and I asked them- will the true Australian please remain standing?' Who would be left?
We are the Australians of today not Australians of 1804 and having a discussions on Australia Day and the celebration of a nation coming together is good - there is nothing wrong with that. the thing that gets me is when people say ' we need a change Australia Day'. We now have a group of people wanting to change the date of Australia Day.
Click here for details from ABC Report to Change Australia Date
From Wayne Willington Face Book Page - Radio Announcer at Vintage FM Penrith and comments:
As Henry Ford once said “Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress and working together is a success.” With that in mind I am trying to understand what the issue is around Australia Day. In my own opinion Australia Day is our countries National Day, a day where we all come together no matter what your race or culture is. It is a day to celebrate our nations success and for ALL to be involved, including our original owners of the land the Indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders. No matter what your beliefs are, culture, race or nationality, if you call Australia home why can’t we all come together as one to celebrate what a great nation Australia is and celebrate all our great success!
- Have a wonderful career in a number of locations. Blessed with a wonderful home and family. Show me
- another safe Country that there is no regular demonstrations and riots, where people do openly say
- that they love their Country. We are so lucky. Show your appreciation of what we all have, and
- celebrate on our Special day.....
Emma Husar It’s because the day commemorates the “landing” or discovery of Australia. And massacre murder /wage war on the First Nations people who already lived here.
Our white ancestors then dispossessed then of their land, made them work as slaves, removed their children, their food source and refused to let them into pubs/schools/to vote.
They then provided land grants for the white people, giving the FN people nothing. None of the wealth - that’s how you start to create intergenerational disadvantage.
It wasn’t until the successful referendum in the 60’s (ONLY 60 years ago) that they were finally recognised. That’s when we became one. So we should celebrate that day.
Jan 26 is like dancing on the graves of the FN people.
I celebrated Australia Day until I was about 15 from a girl I went to school with (bc schools don’t teach us about the MANY massacres that occurred). then I learnt the Indigenous history and never have I celebrated it again.
May when the referendum was won or August when the legislative changes were made would be a better •National•day•
We should also fix the flag and the anthem. To reflect the truth and recognise the systems created by our ancestors (that we all benefit from) and continue to disadvantage FN people with.
No freedom til we’re equal.
*Editors Comments: There is no denial that originally Australia Day celebrations were not meant for all Australians in 1804. There was a significant change us as a country in 1935 to be included as all people to celebrate Australian Day as 'Australia Day'. The Anti-Australia Day advocates, raises a question 'Are they thinking about themselves or the people they represent from our society only?' Also, the thoughts they carry are they inclusive of all Australians - has to be asked?
In relation to white Australians massacre murders of indigenous Australians/ Torres Strait Islanders, Mark Latham launching 'Save Australia Day' describes this as not describing our true early Australiann history. Click here for Launch of Save Australia Day by Mark Latham
I could well ask our Australian Government Representatives over decades, why when we complete Australian Government Forms (does it ask after asking if you are Australian), if you are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background? Is this because they get preferential treatment from government departments compared to the other Australians'? I never hear any indigenous/ Torres Strait Islander person complain about this? Isn't this a form of discrimination against the rest of Australians?
Australian forms should be redesigned not to ask what type of Australians we all are. We are Australians (no matter what background) and we should all unite as being the same Australian as much as your family, friends and neighbours are. No one should be a different Australian.
In my view if change was needed and desired by the Australian people, then change it to 'Australians Day' and leave the date as 26th January and as a public holiday. Let's enjoy this day of celebration today as a day of coming together, celebrating not just the country we are living in and is history, but the great Australian people we are and how important each of our contribution to this 'Great Land' is. Let us all stand up and be counted as 'One and all Australians'.
Click here for I am Australian Song by The Seekers - This really reflects our history a beautiful song that covers who we are all. (lyrics are included on the description of the video)
Click here for Australian National Anthem & Lyrics
In the meantime, here are the details previously published - Media Release from Blacktown City Council Australia Day Rooty Hill Celebrations today Click here
* The Editor is John Svoboda from 'whyilovemountdruitt' blogspot
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