Horrified exclamations. Shrieks of outrage. Glares of contempt. And it’s all because you have the audacity to mention the outrageous notion that perhaps Australia Day should no longer be celebrated on January 26th.
Quite frankly, this reaction is unwarranted. Australia Day is supposed to be a day to celebrate everything great about our nation and its people; however, the very thing that undermines its purpose is indeed the date on which it is celebrated.
Currently, Australia Day condones the horrific treatment of Aboriginals, which began on this day in 1788, our nation is continually divided on a day we are meant to celebrate our unity, and there are several alternative dates that are more inclusive; therefore, January 26th should not be
…show more content…
the date to hold this national holiday. To begin with, January 26th, also known as Australia Day, is marred by the violent events of the past, including the atrocious treatment of the Aboriginals. In order to demonstrate our support and solidarity with the Aboriginals, the date we celebrate Australia Day must be changed. In case you’re in dire need of an Australian history lesson, here’s a recap: When Captain James Cook landed at Botany Bay in 1770 and “discovered” Australia, Aboriginals had already been here for approximately 60 000 years. The British, however, didn’t view the Aboriginals as civilised people, which allowed them to enforce their doctrine of Terra Nullius, which means “no man’s land”, and make Australia a part of their territory. 18 years later, on the iconic January 26th, Captain Arthur Phillips, commander of the “First Fleet”, a group of 11 ships with 1500 people on board, landed at Port Jackson to colonise Australia. It was at this point that the Aboriginals’ lives changed…for the worse. Because from now, they had to fight for survival in a world that desired to see to their demise. Imagine if 90% of your people—men, women and children—were wiped out in a measly 112 years. Quite an unpleasant thought, right? Unfortunately, for the Aboriginals, this was a reality. Just let that sink in. And the ways in which the settlers achieved this were brutal. According to a primary source, the settlers would offer the unsuspecting Aboriginals food poisoned with mercury “in the guise of friendship”, subjecting them to “the agonies of an excruciating death.” (I NEED TO REFERENCE THIS SOMEDAY). Unless you have a heart of stone, this information is disturbing. But no, it didn’t end there. The 1900s continued to be a dark time for the Aboriginals. The various trials and tribulations they had to face include the Stolen Generation; the fight for basic human rights; an and having to withstand/tolerate racial based segregation and bans. Furthermore, the ramifications of these events are still seen today by the gap that is evident between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. For example, statistics gathered by the Australian Together Organisation demonstrate that Aboriginal children born between 2010-2012 have a life expectancy a whole decade shorter than a non-Indigenous person. Furthermore, in 2011, only ¼ of Aboriginals completed Year 12 compared with over half of non-Indigenous. As disturbing as this information is, what does it have to do with changing the date? The link is quite simple: we are expecting the Aboriginals to celebrate everything great about this nation on the day their whole lives were upturned and basically ruined, which is completing insensitive and downright insulting. Of course, changing the date wouldn’t miraculously solve everything; however, it could be a catalyst for change, the very spark we need to start working together for a better future. A future that, for the Aboriginals, won’t seem as bleak. As continuing to celebrate Australia Day on this day is utterly insensitive and downright insulting to the Aboriginals, the date must change. Additionally, January 26th is a ludicrous day as it drives a rift between fellow Australians on the day most important to be united.
Every single year, the debate divides our country. And every single year, we are determined to repeat the same mistake and keep the date.
But finally, the movement for change is gaining momentum, both virtually and in real life. On Twitter, the use of #ChangeTheDate, increased by 850% on last year, and both #SurvivalDay and #InvasionDay increased by 200% (REFERENCE WHEN CONNOR AND LEV COME BACK FROM THE DEAD!...DAMN IT).
Similarly, nationwide protests received huge responses, with the one in Melbourne reaching an estimated crowd of 10 000.
Meanwhile in Sydney, the protests there were not quite peaceful. Police intervention was required after a 20 year old man attempted to set a flag alight, which was then followed by a brief altercation. How much more unAustralian can Australia Day become?
Solidarity and mateship are two ideals that Australians view with paramount importance. it. But when the events that occur on our own national day fail to exemplify them—and violence is rife instead—how are we meant to be proud of who we
…show more content…
are? At present, Australia Day celebrates the division of our nation; it’s time to accept that our current date just isn’t working out anymore (it’s not me, it’s you ). Contrary to popular belief (is that how the saying goes), January 26th is not even a remotely sensible date, with viable alternatives including May 8th, June 3rd and April 11th.
Okay, let’s start with the relevance of May 8th. Seriously, just say it aloud a few times, and then you’ll get it (Still confused? Well, basically, it sounds like “mate”.) Honestly, this idea, suggested by comedian, Jordan Raskopoulos, is AMAZING – or, should I say, Eight-May-Zing? ;) CN WORTHY?
Quite simply, the reasoning behind why we should choose this day – which is because of the way it sounds – embodies key characteristics of what it means to be Australian: our strong sense of mateship and our laidback nature, giving us that much more incentive to celebrate.
Furthermore, on June 3rd, 1992, Terra Nullius was overturned, and the Aboriginals were finally recognised as the original owners of the land. This was a crucial step in making amends, which validated that we stand with them – not against them. Now that’s what it means to be Australian. That’s what Australia Day is supposed to celebrate. Or, at least, it would, if we changed it to a day such as
this. Last, but not least, without the events that occurred on April 11th, 1973, Australia wouldn’t be the diverse and beautiful (another word?) country that it is today; It was on this day that the “Immigration Restriction Act” was completely abolished, as well as the “White Australia Policy”. Australia is only as great as people in it, and without the abolishment of these policies, Australia would be nowhere near as great. Doesn’t it, then, make sense to celebrate Australia Day on a day such as this? Among these three possible options, other dates surely exist to replace January 26th – and nothing can be worse than January 26th. So, come, mate; let’s do what’s right and change the date. COUNTER-ARGUMENT CALL FOR ACTION I’m sure you now agree that it makes no sense whatsoever to keep our current date due it conveying negative messages to the Aboriginals, on a day we are supposed to relish (?) in our unity, we are divided, there are other dates that would make Australia Day that much greater. Several ways in which you can join the movement to make a difference is discussing with your local council to move Australia Day celebrations to a different today, signing petitions or even attending protests. So, fight for the Aboriginals, past, present and posterity. Fight for all the nation. Fight for what it means to be Australian. Because then, and only then, will we have that much more to celebrate.
December 11th is not a date many Australians want to remember. But why? Because Australians don't condone racism or because they don't accept it is a great part of their society and history?
Mateship is a value and important part of attitude towards others that lasts forever and ever, like the Anzacs. The Anzacs are the originals of mateship because of their compassion to defend each other's backs. For these reasons, all Australians are still proud to say that the Anzacs fought for Australia and for their mates. They rest in Australians hearts today in harmony and peace. They fought hard, defended each other's backs and they appreciated that they could always turn to each other for a shoulder to lean on. A shoulder to cry on. A shoulder to bestow their fondness of memories with.
The contributions and achievements of Indigenous role models continue to make substantial impacts upon our history in areas such as the arts, sport, education, science and more increasingly; the world of Politics. Modern Australia is recognising and celebrating the achievements of Aboriginal people more than ever before, where the social landscape is changing (albeit slowly) as a result. The gradual change of peoples ingrained preconceptions, unfounded ideas and prejudiced notions are being challenged and ultimately transformed.
Over the years Australia has had many different problems with racism and racism affecting peoples’ lives. Many racial groups have been affected, most significantly the Aboriginals. The end of world war two in 1945 marked a huge change in types of racism. Australia went from the ‘superior’ white Australians dominating over immigrants and aboriginals. To a relatively multicultural and accepting society that is present today.
It is well known that Captain Arthur Philips landed in Australia on 26th of January and took over the land and is referred to as “invasion Day”. Yet little do people know, Captain Arthur Phillip didn’t land in Australia on 26 January. He first landed in Australia between the 18th and 20th of January 1788 in Botany Bay, however where he landed he couldn’t find fresh water so he then sailed into Sydney Cove on the 26th where he found a Tank Stream…..problem solved. Australia day today celebrates our diverse society, our remarkable achievements, our future as a nation and how we can make Australia a better
...ndigenous recognition and the removal of racist remarks has been an on-going theme for a vast majority of time. The necessity of Constitutional reform to close the gap on cultural divide as well as support the on-going concept of reconciliation is essential in ensuring Australia continues to improve and nurture its relationship with Indigenous peoples. The process of amendment through referendum has proven to be problematic in the past, with the success rate exceptionally low. Though with key factors such as bi-partisan support, widespread public knowledge and correct management, the alteration to remove racial discrimination and provide recognition for Indigenous persons within the Constitution is highly achievable. If proposed and eventually passed, this will provide assistance in eliminating many of the cultural gaps Indigenous persons face throughout society.
However, what the Turnball supporters fail to recognise is that the days motives cannot be effectively celebrated by our first inhabitants on a date that coincides with pure heart ache. Hence, we need a day that still embodies these motives, however falls on a date that is also connected to this sense of unity we all desire. The first suggestion is a date that has recently appeared in the news, wattle day. The golden wattle is a symbol that has welcomed all of us over its 30 million year history, and also carries the colours that we have effectively branded as our own…the green and gold. Hence, wattle day can effectively celebrate our land, our people and of course our nation, therefore solving the conflict and sadness that surrounds our current date. Another alternative could be federation day, the day that our 6 British self-governing colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia. Maybe even the day that the White Australia Policy was created….a day that abolished all forms of racism in our country and also embraced diversity. Finally, the day that the Australia Act was formed, a day that terminated the British control of Australian legislature. It is true, as some argue, alternative dates will have their faults and draw criticism, however that is no reason not to consider new dates. Whatever criticism there is of the alternatives they will not attract the criticism of being based on race. The difference between these days and our current date is not in the values they celebrate, but rather the context of the values. The 26th of January is a date that coincides with the beginning of Aboriginal mistreatment, an embarrassing day for us as a nation. These supposed dates all celebrate events that have a positive connotation with our country and all of our
Australian people should be opening arms to the Face of Mercy and to the Refugees that are
Which leads into my third and final premise, changing the date will be a large step towards reconciliation and act as a demonstration that we have aspirations to make our country better. Many people claim that changing the date will not change history. Of course they’re right because nothing can change history. If we were capable of doing so, I’d like to think we would have done it already. Changing the date of Australia Day will not reverse the suffering that the original custodians of this land were subjected to. Nor will it abolish the iron fist of racism that Australia seems to be gripped by.
Picture a stunning sandy beach, waves lapping on the shoreline and the sun setting on the horizon creating a breathtaking atmosphere. The never-ending golden sand stretching as far as the eye can see. This is Australia.
All citizens should be able to look upon their flag with pride and glory. They should feel as though it unites them as a nation. Without a doubt, the current flag of Australia does nothing of the sort. It has become an anachronic symbol of the nation which poorly represents our society through the total disregard for the Indigenous Australians and their heritage. Not only does it suggest that we are a part of a colonial relationship, but it is constantly confused and associated with other countries with similar flag designs. A new flag will reinforce our national identity with a strong and inspiring design that is easily recognisable and unique to our country and its people.
The Australian War Memorial website has a section dedicated to the tradition of ANZAC Day which explains its cultural importance to Australians and the rituals which surround commemoration services
Since the time of federation the Aboriginal people have been fighting for their rights through protests, strikes and the notorious ‘day of mourning’. However, over the last century the Australian federal government has generated policies which manage and restrained that of the Aboriginal people’s rights, citizenships and general protection. The Australian government policy that has had the most significant impact on indigenous Australians is the assimilation policy. The reasons behind this include the influences that the stolen generation has had on the indigenous Australians, their relegated rights and their entitlement to vote and the impact that the policy has had on the indigenous people of Australia.
Australia Day, celebrated on the 26th of January every year, is a nationally recognised day that signifies the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet. It’s a historic event that also marks the beginning of the oppression of the Indigenous people, that still can occur today, no matter how much the Government has tried to atone for the sins of the past. Australia Day is a day of celebration and mourning, a fact that contributes to the constant bickering between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous. There are many who believe that the meaning behind the modern Australia Day is overshadowed by the past, which will prevent the nation from moving forward, much like Ben Roberts-Smith who published an opinion piece in the Herald Sun on the 26th
...ir people and their country to achieve a great deal, in hope one day we unite and abolish discrimination. Although America had a major impact on the world, Australia was just important to our Indigenous people with racial based discrimination. Both Freedom rides recognised situations and mistreatment in both countries thus making them equal within ‘importance’.