Australia Day date
Australia Day should be about what we celebrate, not what date we do it on. A lot of people think that the 26th of January is an important date, but in reality it is fairly unimportant. Firstly Captain cook did not "discover" Australia on this date. Australia was "discovered" by the Dutch in 1606. The first fleet arrived in Botany Bay over three days from 18-20 January.
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It was not until 1935 that all Australian states and territories adopted use of the term "Australia Day" to mark the date, and not until 1994 that the date was consistently marked by a public holiday on that day by all states and territories. Yep that's right we have only been celebrating this date nationally since 1994 so it's hardly a significant date in our calendar, nor is the choice of an event to celebrate (proclamation) a very significant date in our history.
When we think about what we want to actually celebrate as our national day, there are lots more interesting options.
Federation of Australia, 1 January – Possibly our most significant event in our history when modern Australia was born.
Australia Acts commencement, 3 March. This is a bit like independence day. These Acts removed the United Kingdom's ability to legislate for the Australian States,the Queen's ability to disallow or suspend State legislation,
Opening of the first Federal Parliament, 9 May – The dare on which the first Federal Parliament was opened in Melbourne in 1901
All of these were significant events in the European history of our nation but if we want to move forward and include our First Nations people in the celebration, perhaps the 27th of May would be a more appropriate date. This date marks the Anniversary of the 1967 referendum. The referendum to amend the federal constitution. The amendments enabled the federal parliament to legislate with regard to Indigenous Australians and allowed for Indigenous Australians to be included in the national census.
This was the date when the European settlement officially recognised the country's First People. Whilst I am not a proponent of any particular date, I think the discussion should be framed around what it is that we actually want to celebrate and not about what day we celebrate it on. We are a young nation with a short history, so we still have time to get it right.
Nigel Ayling, Merimbula
No injustice
I do hope all who are able, will make the effort to attend a local Australia Day ceremony – wherever you are. Sure- go off to your backyard barbies, or the beach later if that is your thing, but even if you are travelling on the long weekend you will be able to find a ceremony somewhere.
I get worked up about injustice, but celebrating Australia Day on January 26 is not an injustice to Indigenous people. We have been celebrating this day since 1935 – 83 years in fact – why change it now?
This special day was never intended to recreate history, or relive any hurts of the past. it is meant for us all to come together to celebrate living in the luckiest country on earth.
Elvie Preo, Bega
The ‘common good’
My husband and I reside in the Wandella Valley.
For the past three summers we have noted the two concrete culverts under the causeway crossing Wandella Creek have been blocked with large boulders in an attempt to dam a bit of water upstream.
As we and others live above the causeway we rely on it being in working order, as when heavy rains come we can be cut off for several days. if the culverts are fully open, the time that we are cut off is greatly reduced.
I am asking those who have been involved to please reconsider their actions.
There is a safety issue here and also there is the “common good”.