Hmmm. So do we attach a weighting to the 40-60,000 years the Aboriginals spent here before Brits decided to turn the place into a penal colony fewer than 250 years ago? Nah, let's just take the day off work and get pissed.What does Australia Day mean to Indigenous Australians?
It's a day for all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to celebrate what makes us great, to consider where we've come from, where we are now, and what kind of a future we want to build together. We all have a contribution to make.
Nice.
But wait there's more...when asked about changing the date...
The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, immediately ruled out changing Australia Day's date, which he called "an inclusive day, celebrating the identity and achievements of all Australians".It is? What exactly did the locals achieve in 1788 when the First Fleet arrived? That said, on the somewhat unscientific Sydney Morning Herald poll, 61% of voters said the date should not be changed. So, fair play to the PM, he is reflecting the wishes of the current Aussie population, most of whom don't know and care even less about Australia before 1770.
Basically it's all beer, flags and BBQs
The concept of celebrating such an event baffles me. Let's celebrate something somewhat more appropriate eh?Large crowds are already pouring into the centre of Sydney to take part in celebrations to mark Australia Day.
With many wrapped in Australian flags, wearing green and gold clothing and sporting boxing kangaroo temporary tattoos, they are streaming in to a number of sites for concerts, barbecues, fireworks and boat races.
Police estimate up to 500,000 revellers will descend on the CBD to party and commemorate the First Fleet's arrival on Sydney's shore in 1788.
2 comments:
Australia should be celebrating 'Federation' as opposed to the "Day of Invasion".
My 2 cents for what it is worth.
some survey or other found that 56% of Aussies are not really sure what the day is all about. But you know what they say about stats...
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