Depending on how far this article travels, I expect to take a bit of stick from some quarters, but if it starts a movement then, it’ll be worthwhile. As Australia Day 2014 approaches I’m beginning to feel the onset of cultural cringe again and attribute that feeling to my sense of discomfort for what this day represents. I have long felt uncomfortable about using the 26th January to commemorate the birthday of our nation. After all, it was that day in 1788 an occupying force landed in Botany Bay, a force that sought no dialogue with the indigenous inhabitants nor cared for any. Our white ancestors just barged in and assumed control with no interest or concern for the civilization that was already here. We now use the anniversary of this day, long regarded by the descendants of those inhabitants as a day of infamy in their culture and history, to celebrate our national day. We act as if they didn’t matter, as if their concerns were immaterial. There’s something very uncomfortable about this. Putting it bluntly, it’s just inappropriate.
Our achievements over the past 226 years are nothing short of outstanding. From such humble beginnings we have realized extraordinary growth, expansion, development, stature and respect across the globe, so much so, that desperate people fleeing their own war torn, dysfunctional, over populated countries clamour to get here. They come by plane disguised as entrepreneurs, as business people, as academics, as students, they come to join family members already here, they come in leaking boats, and they even come from countries more sophisticated than ours but stifled by class distinction, political corruption and economic suffocation.
Clearly our greatest achievement, the one that stands out above all else, is our multicultural mix and our tolerance. Notwithstanding those minorities within our society who would try to disrupt this unique cultural recognition and acceptance, we have shown the world we can live together in harmony, tolerant of race, creed and colour. It is even more remarkable that most of this multicultural mix has occurred in the last 60 years. Yet despite this monumental achievement and reason to celebrate our liberalism, our open-mindedness, our multi-cultural blending, we choose to celebrate it on a day that for the vast majority has no significance whatsoever, and which for our indigenous population only serves to remind them, first and foremost, of their subjugation, their overthrow and their suppression.
Therefore, is it not time to take a second look at the manner of our celebration and what is appropriate in the timing of this event?
On the second Monday in June we take a day off work to mark the Queen’s birthday. It’s not her birthday, and even her own people in the United Kingdom don’t celebrate the occasion, so why do we? Surely wise heads can see the contradiction here. While the 26th January should be marked as an important historical date on our calendar, it does not warrant the status of a national birthday. To promote it as our day of celebration to mark the birth of our nation is simply out of place. Likewise, celebrating the Queen’s birthday in June is also badly chosen. Why not replace the Queen’s Birthday the second Monday in June as our Australia Day. For those alarmed at the prospect of missing out on a public holiday in January, fear not. We can still have one for the 26th January. Let’s call it First Fleet Day or Settlement Day or whatever. But for pity’s sake let us end the embarrassments so many of us suffer as we endure endless demonstrations of moronic flag waving, stupid street parades and fake nationalistic trumpet blowing.
Those, who for some obscure reason feel the Queen will be put out at such a move, can take heart; I suggest she won’t give it a second thought. If we want to celebrate a true Australia Day, one that recognizes our indigenous population and the millions who have come since to make this their homeland and contribute accordingly, we have to look beyond January 26th. We have to redefine what Australia Day means and not align it to a date that challenges the respect of a significant part of the population both black and white. We’re better than that.
Perhaps the Queen’s birthday holiday weekend is the wrong choice. It’s not summer and we are conditioned to spending our national day in the sun rather than on what is actually the opening of the snow season. Downhill skiing and zipping across mountain trails doesn’t quite project the image such an important event should enjoy. If so, what other day would work? We gained independence from mother England on 1st January 1901 and that shines brightly as a natural alternative. Given, however, that we tend to get up to some strange behaviour the night before, behaviour that might render a large number of celebrants unfit to take part in the festivities, perhaps not. There has, in the past, been strong support for merging Anzac Day, 25th April with Australia Day. I like the idea, but having visited both Gallipoli and Flanders Fields, I’d hate to see the spirit of the Anzacs take a back seat to anything. The 9th of May also has significance, being the opening of the first Federal parliament in Melbourne in 1901. It was also the opening date of the new Parliament in Canberra in 1927 and of the new Parliament House (the existing one) in 1988; to hell with summer, this would be my preferred model, but I’m just one vote. So, what do you think? Can we start a movement and put this present embarrassing, insensitive and divisive blot on our calendar into the public domain for discussion? I want to celebrate this day; I want to feel the pride ripple through my body. I want to feel the lump in my throat as they play the national anthem. I’ve never felt that way on any 26th of January in the past. I feel it at the AFL Grand Final every year but that’s another matter. The notion of celebrating our national day on a day that coincides with a date in history that recalls the arrival of an invading fleet intent on establishing a colony for another country is not my first choice, or my last. In fact it’s no choice.
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