Why We Shouldn T Abolish Australia Day

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The 26th of January marks the First Fleet’s arrival in Port Jackson in 1788 when the first fleet convicts were brought to Australia and European colonisation began. Each year, Australia Day falls on the 26th of January, however many people have developed different opinions about Australia Day and the day is different to many individuals. For some of us, it's a day to have a barbecue, watch fireworks and feel proud to be Australian. But for many Indigenous Australians, January 26 marks the start of some really challenging times. It's when the First Fleet arrived in 1788 and for Indigenous people, it brings up memories of their land being taken away from them and their culture being ignored and deprived of importance. For some of our community, …show more content…

Changing the date of Australia Day is not about forgetting history, nor is it about reducing the contributions of those who have built this country. Instead, it is about embracing a new date that reflects our shared values of inclusivity and respect. Changing the date doesn't mean we're ignoring our history, but it's a way to show that we understand and respect it. We can still celebrate all the awesome things about Australia like our beautiful beaches, our diverse culture and our spirit of friendship but on a different day that doesn't bring up bad memories for First Nations people. Choosing a new date, one that is more inclusive and representative of all Australians, demonstrates the effort to heal the wounds of the past and build a future where every individual feels valued and heard. It's an opportunity to redefine what it means to be Australian, not by ignoring our history, but by acknowledging it in all its complexity and striving for a better tomorrow. There are many important alternative dates that we could choose from, such as July 9th when the Constitution of Australia was approved or March 12th when Canberra was officially

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