What does Australia Day mean to you?

[jave808]

Hi,
What does Australia Day mean to you? Are you a proud Aussie? Are there things we can do better? Maybe avoid some things?

I personally don't mind if they move the date of celebrating Australia. As long as we get one day to enjoy, that's fine. The date is irrelevant. But, it seems that no matter what the date, some people will never be happy. What do we do about them? Is it possible to please everyone or not?

[chooka03]

Ooh touchy subject these days...which is SHOULDN'T be.

It means a day off work for me and spending time with family. We just got back from the local pool where we packed a lunch and slapped on some fake Australia Day tattoos (made in China no doubt!)
The controversy that surrounds Aus day annoys me. Every bloody year it seems to rear its ugly head. As I said on a new story, history is littered with civilsationsation that have been conquered by others. I don't see Italy apologising for Ceaser, or Mongolia apologising for Khan.

People need to seriously move on from the subject. Sure... teach history, learn from it but don't dwell on it! It won't change what has happened.

[jave808]

Ooh touchy subject these days...which is SHOULDN'T be.

It means a day off work for me and spending time with family. We just got back from the local pool where we packed a lunch and slapped on some fake Australia Day tattoos (made in China no doubt!)
The controversy that surrounds Aus day annoys me. Every bloody year it seems to rear its ugly head. As I said on a new story, history is littered with civilsationsation that have been conquered by others. I don't see Italy apologising for Ceaser, or Mongolia apologising for Khan.

People need to seriously move on from the subject. Sure... teach history, learn from it but don't dwell on it! It won't change what has happened.

Yes, it is a touchy subject. I've just been reading that one of the Invasion Day protesters wanted $1m for each indigenous person from the government. Ummm no, My life hasn't exactly been a walk in the park, but I'm not demanding $1m or whatever.

Even if the date was changed, someone will still find an axe to grind. Some people are never satisfied.

[d_worms]

Happy Australia day

Give Them a Hand They Will Take the Whole Arm, will it ever end? I don't think so.

[shift]

I read that the first time all of Australia had a public holiday called Australia Day was 1994 and even then the politicians were arguing about whether the date should be 1 Jan (the date of Federation of Australia) or 26 Jan (the start of the NSW colony). My Dad has always referred to 26 Jan as NSW day and I can see his point. This public holiday I just sat around at home - I'm not one to dress up in a flag and get drunk or have a BBQ. The idea that 26 Jan has a rich Aussie history of celebration isn't entirely accurate. It would be nice to celebrate Australia without the constant pressure to feel bad about yourself or your country although nationalism can lead to nastier things!

So I think the date should be changed because the date doesn't make sense, not simply because of the indigenous protests. And yes if we changed the date there would still be protests about how bad they have had it or still have it, but that isn't a reason not to change it. But it is hard to believe the government would change it, seems like a lot of work for politicians.