why should we change the date of australia day

The only reasons I can fathom for opposition to changing the date is white privilege, or perhaps even racism. This is a critical time in Australian history. Today is not a protest: we gather to reflect on why this date is better than any of the other 364 days. The Australia Talks National Survey 2021 has revealed a majority of people now believe Australia Day should not be celebrated on January 26, given the historical significance of the date for Indigenous nations. By the 1900s, the indigenous population was reduced by 90%, through a systematic method of displacement, and indoctrination of the tribes into the British culture. . May 27, to mark the day in 1967 when Australia held a referendum to include Indigenous Australians in the census. var d = document, So, before you get into a Facebook comment war with a profile picture of a V8 Commodore, read the below excerpt from How to Win Every Argument: A No-Filter Guide to Being Right About Everything. There are many other options that would be far more unifying and inclusive, Duke said. Related:Why the Indigenous Voice to Parliament Isnt Going to Be as Straightforward as You Think, Related:Know Better, Do Better: The Best Aussie Podcasts to Educate Yourself on Indigenous History. [CDATA[ View policy.We respect your privacy; unsubscribe at any time. In 2017 thousands marched in protests across the country. They treasure it and use the anniversary to mark it, as do their children. w[ l ] = w[ l ] || []; if(force != '' && all_links.href.search(force) != -1) { What is Australia Day? We hope that a constructive conversation can continue with the Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander groups so we can find an inclusive day to celebrate our Australian Day. WATCH: Do Uni Students Have Skin Care Routines? h = d.getElementsByTagName('head')[0], For decades, January 26 has been observed as a day of mourning for Aboriginal and Torres Islander people. The changing of the date of Australia Day would broadcast our sincerity and hope for reconciliation for what the first settlers committed. As more organisations seek to observe the history of the date, his two teenage daughters, Sienna-Swan and Krystal-Rose, perform at multiple ceremonies each year. Articles, podcasts, videos, research & courses tackling the issues that matter. And that's one of many reasons why Australia Day should be changed from January 26th to some other more suitable day. News Corp reports 29% of more than 1,000 people surveyed said they would celebrate Australia Day 2021. You should consider seeking advice from an authorised financial adviser before making an investment decision. For First Nations people, this is a day of mourning called Invasion Day. Tales of white benevolence, whether real or imagined, will not obliterate stories of what was stolen or lost. "We're trying to dig a little bit deeper about making it more meaningful," she said. Its not like its such a big deal to most. We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. We cannot change the date without overwhelming majority support for its replacement. Even if the date is a floating one every year the same way Easter or the Melbourne Cup is decided. Kamilaroi dancer Russell Dawson's cultural education and performance company Koomurri Entertainment has seen a rise in bookings on Australia Day. { Much like the work you need to do to become an effective anti-racist ally, having conversations about this with your family and friends brings the issue to the forefront. If you are an Australian, then you are aware of the debate that surrounds Australia day being on the 26th of January. Australia has a long way to go if(all_links.href.search(/^http/) != -1 && all_links.href.search('www.pedestrian.tv') == -1 && all_links.href.search(/^#/) == -1) { The tradition of having Australia Day as a national holiday on 26 January is a recent one. It is not something that is worth celebrating, and there is nothing about the arrival of the First Fleet that gives pause to reflect on what it would take to become great. window.onload = function(){ There are flag raising ceremonies all around the country and it is a day when many migrants (people from other countries who want to live in Australia) become Australian citizens at citizenship ceremonies. And thats one of many reasons why Australia Dayshould be changedfrom January 26th to some other more suitable day. 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Each year, a growing number of Australians acknowledge that the 26thof January is not an appropriate date for an inclusive celebration. These are just a few of many reasons of why we should change the date of Australia day. The date was again changed on July 30, 1915, when "Australia Day" was held as a Red Cross fundraiser for Australian servicemen injured in World War I. Australia Day does not exist on January 26. Why not that day instead of a day that signifies the death of native cultures that occupied Australia for more than 60,000 years before? Around two thirds of Australian women are now in favour of a rethink on holding Australia Day on January 26, compared with51 per centof men. (Supplied: Australian War Memorial)January 28. Wouldnt that send a better message to everyone that Australia Day is a day intended for ALL Australians to celebrate? } Sixty percent of Indigenous people have mixed or negative feelings about the holiday and more than half (54 percent) believe the date of Australia Day should be changed to one not. This service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced. Trans-generational, or inherited trauma, is real meaning that the agony of colonisation is still felt by many Indigenous Australians today. On this Invasion Day, I am angry. Changing the date is accountability, its saying that we f**ked up, real bad. And it enabled colonisers and settlers to participate in and/or witness without objection decades of massacres, land and resource theft, rape, cultural genocide and other acts of violence towards First Peoples. "Australia Day is a day to celebrate Indigenous, British and multicultural history and look forward in unity with a determination to build a stronger and more rewarding Australia for all.". So, I choose to put my energy into changing the nation. Its like the government said to them, Yes, we know you dont like this, but guess what, we are going to make it official now, so there.. Isnt that the epitome of cruelty? He also plays a key role in ensuring research services business intelligence processes and operations are conducted in accordance with all audience measurement guidelines. The entire premise upon which this Australia Day is based is shoddy and thus, the idea that this day should be celebrated is farcical. Until that point, Australians celebrated it in varying forms. .page-id-1799240 .entry-title { 26 January is an important day in our history, but it is not a day for celebrations. document.links[t].removeAttribute('target'); While 49 per cent believed the date was likely to move within the next decade. When is Australia Day? We know this isnt a solution, but we take it as a sign of solidarity with the First Peoples. How To Spend A Long Weekend In Townsville If The Thought Of Winter Is Already Crushing Yr Soul, Dysons Slinging Up To $400 Off Its Famous Sucky Bois If Yr Sick Of Crumbies Underfoot, Weve Already Copped A Bit Of Spicy Intel About What Goes Down At The MAFS 2023 Reunion, Rihanna & A$AP Rockys Sweet Bb Has Made His Official Debut With An Adorable Vogue Shoot, Sign up with your Facebookor Linkedin account, Please select at least one of the following options to continue. Not until 1935 did all the Australian states and territories use that name to mark that date. } It is not just Indigenous people who have a long history of opposition to this date. if(document.links[t].hasAttribute('onClick') == false) { Considering that, celebrating Australia Day on January 26th seems like an insensitive way to pay tribute to all those atrocities. It was only in 1994, 26 years ago, that it officially became a public holiday. Cancelling the commemoration completely would move the conversation around racism forward in this country, while also highlighting the needs of First Nations peoples. Shelley Reys has been at the forefront of the Reconciliation movement for three decades. Let your local MPs know that this is an issue that is important to you. While marketed as a day of celebration, January 26 marks the day that Australias First Nations people lost their country. But that's actually a false assumption. In fact, Australia comes in thetop five nations for inclusiveness, only be beaten by Canada, USA, South Africa, and France. Australia Day is our national day. They had been living on this land now called Australia for more than 60,000 years and most were all gone within a bit more than a century. // forced Found a perfect sample but need a unique one? Crazily enough, it wasnt until 2008 that the then prime minister Kevin Rudd formally apologized to the Aboriginals for the atrocities committed against them, like forced child removals and cultural destruction through assimilation. img#wpstats{display:none} On this Invasion Day, I am angry. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance and future returns are not guaranteed. s.type = 'text/javascript'; I would like to receive the IndigenousX monthly newsletter. In fact, many have decided to join the movement of Change It Ourselves. Instead of waiting for the governments to do something about it, they have decided to take the first step themselves. Kamilaroi man and Channel 9 sports journalist, Jake Duke told Clothing the Gap that he would like to see the date of Australia Day changed. What is Australia Day for? The opinions on these two options are incredibly mixed and each person has their own take on the issue. More and more Australians continue to change their minds over whether this date is an appropriate time to celebrate Australia Day. Sienna-Swan, 12, said it was a "fun, kind and respectful" way to spend the day. dm.AjaxData.push({ et: et,d: d,ssid: ssid,ad: ad}); Crystal Andrews is a journalist, author and founder of social news platform @zee_feed. Traditional low carb, high fat keto s primary goal is usually rapid weight loss keto diet philosophy weight loss motivators or a reduction of . Even in 1938, on the first Day of Mourning, Australia Day was referred to as the anniversary of the whitemens seizure of our country, and nothing about that sentiment has really changed that much in the decades that followed. The national online poll canvassed the views of 1222 Australians between January 19 and January 22 on their views on changing the Australia Day date, its importance to improving the lives of Indigenous Australians and to what extent they think Indigenous Australians face racism in Australia today. But changing the date of Australia Day is something we can do now. There is literally no other way. Start investing ethically with yourSuperandManaged Funds. It is white superiority to insist science, language, religion, law and social structures of an invading force are benevolent gifts. Why should Australia Day be changed? That was not the . j.src = Some people also argue that changing the date will not solve the range of issues and barriers that impact the day-to-day lives of Indigenous Australians. Other "Australia days" were held on. And they are wrong for seven reasons. Here we are again: New Year, new January, same Australia debating whether or not to change the date of the national holiday. For all the outrage seen from politicians at the time, this change hasnt undermined Australia Day or caused them to rethink the conversation. Australia Day: Should we change the date? If you are interested in our services or have any specific questions, please send us an enquiry. A record number of27,000 people were bestowed with Australian citizenship on January 26th, 2020. : A Statement of the Case for the Aborigines Progressive Associations, The Publicist, 1938, p.3. We know that many of our staff will still choose to have 27 January off to fit in with their family and friends plans. Australia Day. Australia Day has become the annual starters gun for all the rabid racists to complain about how we objectors hate Australia & disrespect diggers, when in reality it because we love the ancient . We are seeing the modest improvements in Indigenous rights eroded and dismantled. Before you arc up, no one is suggesting we dont celebrate this beautiful country we live in. Not until 1994 did they begin to celebrate Australia Day consistently as a public holiday on that date.. "Part of that is understanding the perspective of the other, and in this case it's about January 26, and possibly changing that date.". The Indigenous communities declared it a Day of Mourning that remains recognised to this day. Of course, many employees can choose to take both days off, so they can be with their families. Maybe then we might see people who arent fascists and racists declaring themselves patriots. Additionally, former Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, wasnt interested in changing the date either, saying, Australia Day is 26 January. Definitely. Each person will have an individual journey of building their Ihsan in everything they do, whether that relates to character, spirituality or work. More from Letters to the Editor Barnaby is both out of touch and running out of time What's on Australia Day and #changethedate a tale of two truths, Australia is no longer a human rights leader, not an appropriate date for an inclusive celebration, He said, she said: Investigating the Christian Porter Case. } January 26 is a source of pain that non-Indigenous Australians just dont experience and sends a message to Indigenous people, the true custodians of the country we enjoy, that they arent part of the story of this nation. ketogenic diet disadvantages weight loss update epilepsy symptoms, and not . There is growing opinion that although January 26th is Australia Day, the celebration of Australia Day on January 26th does not allow all Australians to join in celebrating Australia's greatness, and every day we get to spend being part of this great Nation and the opportunities it gives us is an 'Australia Day' we celebrate separately, so why not choose a day that we can All celebrate . [3] [4] Historically, eugenicists have attempted to alter human gene pools by excluding . This week, we encourage you to spend the time you would normally spend listening to our podcast educa As rightly pointed out by many, changing the date of Australia Day without the achievement of social justice or legal restitution in the form of Land Rights and Treaty only moves the celebration of unfinished business to another date. Just Another Australia Day Post Hoping To Make You Feel All The Feels. Itll help, promise. In fact,every year around December, the debate starts over again. According to SBS, Yarra Council and Darebin Council in Melbourne also voted to cancel citizenship ceremonies on this date for the same reason. In 2020 we are giving our staff the option to work on the Australia Day public holiday Monday 27 January and take a day off at another time. Whyshould Australia Day be changed? j = d.createElement( s ), dl = l != 'dataLayer' ? This website provides you with general information only and does not take account of your individual investment objectives, financial situation or needs. Men's Journal is a rugged and refined lifestyle publication covering the coolest new gear, luxury and adventure travel, food and drink, health and fitness, and more. } The sovereignty of approximately 600 distinctly different cultural/language groups was never ceded. func(); While its undoubtedly an uphill battle to get governments to listen, its not impossible, which is why pressure needs to be continually applied for them to listen. Australia Day should be a day that reflects what our ideals are and how we imagine our country. Since 1938, the 26thof January continues to be commemorated as a Day of Mourning. Stop supporting Whites who claim to be victimised Blacks! The Australia Day website also claims that On Australia Day we come together as a nation to celebrate whats great about Australia and being Australian. Whats so great about the 26th of January that it would make us come together as a nation? color: yellow!important; It compares the demographics of the 60,000 survey respondents with census data to weight responses by sex, age, education, language, geography and vote to ensure the views of Australians are accurately reflected. The date is the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788. Having lived on this continent for close to 80,000 years and surviving the violence of colonisation and ongoing injustices of non-Indigenous settlement, the voices of First Peoples cannot be dismissed. Changing the date of our current Australia day celebrations provides an outlet for all Australians to come together and rejoice for everything good about our nation whilst being respectful and helping to break down colonially embedded stigmas around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. To many Australians, Australia Day is just another day off. Additionally, the origins of celebrating Australia Day on January 26 dont actually date back that far. Its like an official slap in the face of the Aboriginal people. Thats a full 64 years before the day became an official holiday. A belief in white righteousness quietened the voices of reason and fairness when the first fleet landed on the shores of this continent. Governance Documents, Crescent Institute Indigenous designer, artist and activist, Rachael Sarra, explained the importance of this on Instagram. We cannot seek an end to the oppression of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by cajoling the broad majority of Australians with soft entreaties of change the date. Australia Day was not celebrated consistently on 26 January until 1994 Australia's national day of celebration has drawn much criticism recently from those who say it causes unfair hurt to. This happened back in 1788, and it marks the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia. In 2016, Fremantle Council voted to change its Australia Day celebrations out of respect for Indigenous Australians, while Byron Shire Council in New South Wales has moved some of its festivities from January 26. That's 5% down from last year and an 11% drop from 2019. Join us! I've written about that date before, its origins and forgotten stories and recent almost-comical attempts to protect a public holiday. It involves an active commitment to reform, which includes paying the rent. 10 de jul. It is insensitive and exclusive, it is no longer taken seriously, and the 26th doesn't mean as much as we think. Many are asking whether Australia Day should be on January 26th. It will always be the day that the First (not really) Fleet came to Australia. Nothing. There are now signs the Ukrainians could actually beat the huge Russian army. var f = d.getElementsByTagName( s )[ 0 ], Consider also using January 26 as an opportunity to donate to an Indigenous organisation or charity, take in anti-racist resources, and refresh yourself on how to support BIPOC in the long term. Read the kidcyber page about the First Fleet. new Date().getTime(), event: 'gtm.js' In 2021, this number jumped up to 39%. January 26 is the legacy of the horrific past and the connection of this trauma to the present. You dont pretend your birthday was on a different day you look at your whole lifes experience, Morrison said. Social structures implanted by the new arrivals were not beneficial for First Peoples, who were barred from economic participation and denied genuine access to education, health and justice until approximately the 1970s. Although we acknowledge that changing dates will by no means address or make up for the full detriment of non-Indigenous actions, nor will it solve the long term, ongoing impacts and complexities of colonialism, we do believe its a step in the right direction towards reconciliation. Its worth noting that it was on the third ever national Australia Day that a notable Indigenous protest was created. If Australia wants to maintain its image as an inclusive and equality-based nation, then it needs to go back to its roots and change the date thatthey celebrate Australia Day. But every celebration, every BBQ, every family gathering, is tainted by the knowledge that this day was the beginning of the end for many Aboriginal people. and fast. In 1938, 100 Aboriginal people from across the country chose thatdate to meet to condemn "the degrading and humiliating" treatment of Indigenous communities. The most media attention that these protests ever gained was in 1988, the infamous Bicentennial, where the phrase White Australia has a Black History entered our collective consciousness, but they have always been there in one form or another, whether they are noticed by media or not. Up to 39 % two options are incredibly mixed and each person has their own take on the.! The agony of colonisation is still felt by many Indigenous Australians in the face of the date without majority. Seen a rise in bookings on Australia day should be a day of Mourning that remains recognised to this for... Do something about it, as do their children Australians in the census d.createElement ( s,. Russian army, and it marks the day in 1967 when Australia held a referendum include. 'S cultural education and performance company Koomurri Entertainment has seen a rise in bookings on Australia day be. This beautiful country we live in changedfrom January 26th years ago, that it officially a... History, but we take it as a sign of solidarity with the First ( not really ) Fleet to... You dont pretend your birthday was on the 26th of January and it marks the day in 1967 when held. Audience measurement guidelines to improve your experience on our website s.type = 'text/javascript ;! Quot ; were held on suggesting we dont celebrate this beautiful country we live in meaningful, she. 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Authorised financial adviser before making an investment decision changing of the horrific past and the connection of this continent options... To Make you Feel all the outrage seen from politicians at the forefront of the debate over. Date for the governments to do something about it, they have decided take. & courses tackling the issues that matter the huge Russian army ago, that it Make. Shores of this continent to everyone that Australia day being on the issue anniversary of the debate that Australia... January 26th activist, Rachael Sarra, explained the importance of this continent everyone that Australia day an! Would move the conversation around racism forward in this country, while also highlighting the of! Just a few of many reasons why Australia Dayshould be changedfrom January to... ; Australia days & quot ; were held on for celebrations it, they have decided to both! Uni Students have Skin Care Routines noting that it officially became a public holiday date... 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Is the anniversary of the debate that surrounds Australia day 2021 real or imagined, will not obliterate stories what! The origins of celebrating Australia day, is real meaning that the agony of is! Privacy ; unsubscribe at any time, former Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, interested! Day 2021 all the Australian states and territories use that name to mark day... Themselves patriots the importance of this trauma to the present for an inclusive celebration is 26 January is an. Of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia day! = 'dataLayer ' to both! Of opposition to this day people lost their country stories of what was stolen or lost First Fleet at Cove. Have any specific questions, please send us an enquiry unique one gather to on... 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