Time to accept our difficult past
AUSTRALIA DAY
IN light of recent events around the country regarding Australia Day, I believe we should change the date our national celebration is held on.
January 26 marks the day that British settlers landed in the country, slaughtering thousands of indigenous people as they ran and hid in fear. Yes, we as a country have changed our views on the indigenous community, but there is still such a large gap between the two communities, including in life expectancy, job opportunities and mental health.
As recently as 1970, children were being stolen from their parents and forced to be assimilated into white Australian families.
When indigenous people wish to speak up about changing the date of Australia Day, they are often shut down, being told that they weren’t there, or were not personally affected by the invasion. They are not listened to as a group, and so I am going to do my part in giving them a voice so that they can be heard.
Indigenous people hold such strong connections with their ancestors and their past that it is almost as though, by celebrating the date, we are treading over their beliefs with little or no concern. It wasn’t even until 1938 that Australia Day was recognised as a national day.
So if it was so important to celebrate it, and is held so dearly by the Australian community, why is it that the day itself has only officially been recognised for 79 years? It is not the celebration itself that holds the issue, but rather the date on which it occurs.
If we are now being painted as a society that celebrates the day on which their ancestors killed the native custodians of this land, then we are not the community I thought we were.
If we were to change the date, my suggestions would be either the January 1 or the September 3. January 1 of course recognises the date on which we came together as a nation, and September 3 as the date on which the Australian flag was first raised in 1901.
Keep the date as is
I THINK it stands to reason that Australia Day should not be tampered with. We have preserved the indigenous culture and now it is dictated to us about our national Australia Day. The answer is obvious, simply “no”. We are not moving Australia Day for anyone. Every day is invasion day to some, as every day is Australia Day to others.
We Europeans, immigrants and whites also have a history and culture to be preserved and passed on to future generations. It might have been a bit rough at the beginning of colonial settlement but today we are meant to be educated, civilised and reconciled.
We both indigenous and Europeans have our public days to remember. There should be absolute respect for both sides. We celebrate our Australia Day on January 26 and commemorate the establishment of our first European settlement at Port Jackson, Sydney, in 1788.
No city councils should have the powers or authority to change Australia Day around as they please. The judicial system and High Court is in place to deal with any such public procedures of such national interest and concern.
We also have a legacy and culture that must be acknowledged. We are all Austra- A new way to have your say themercury.com.au readers have a new way to have their say. It’s free to use, just register and have your say. For more details and to register, visit the website. lians and we include and celebrate our Australia Day together in a multi-culture society including indigenous Australians with great pride and mirth.
We enjoy holidays, barbecues, games and events to consolidate our momentous and everlasting Australia Day.
Thinking done for me
THE council is to be applauded for being in the vanguard for change in areas of social justice such as changing the date of Australia Day and gay marriage.
As a ratepayer, I am intellectually and morally ill-equipped to think or make decisions for myself. Thank God for such exemplars of virtue and intellect. I look forward to them flying the Israel and Palestine flags side-by-side, thus solving the Middle Eastern conflict.
Minority call
WHY should we change our day to suit a handful of people when I grew up knowing Australia Day was the January 26? I have a nephew born on that date and he was given memorabilia like many others. He is now 40 years old and celebrates his birthday every year with an Australian barbecue. Cracker night on May 24 has slightly been changed. Regatta Day used to be the second Tuesday in February.
Will we change our names next? We want our rights too. No-one from 1788 is still about.
Stellar returns
A $100 million profit for $1.2 million in lease fees? No wonder the salmon farms are not interested in moving onshore. Pity the rest of us have to be penalised by industrial farming in once beautiful public waterways.
Fearsome team
THE Kiwi Defence Force is set to treble its Afghanistan force by sending another three defence personnel to prop up the numbers to 13. Is that the best it could do? It would be better off sending the All Blacks.
Alternative venue
WHY not have the carols at the North Hobart Football Oval? It would be ideal. It is available and ready to go in a central location. Come on HCC, bring the carols to a good place for all members of the community.
Meeting expectations
IN raising the rainbow flag to support marriage equality, the Hobart City Council is doing what its conservative critics want it to do. Clear away the rubbish.
A big undertaking
THE management style of Donald Trump has been compared with that of a cemetery caretaker. Everybody is below and cannot be heard.