Today is Australia Day and I thought you might be interested in how it is celebrated. As a child Australia day was a public holiday in Summer so you had the rellies and friends over for bbq and piss-up. That much hasn't change although there are more flags about these days. I'd be surprised how many actually know what the day commerates.
It celebrates the first fleet of convicts coming to serve as slave labour to 'civilise' the country. Many Irish were sent for token misdemeanours (oooo good nick name!) It wasn't missed by the legal system when a potential convict had the advantage of being a boat builder by trade. THe english certainly needed good tradesmen.
To the First Nation Peoples it is called Invasion Day and a very sad history we have in our treatment of Indigenous people. (i usually go to the demonstration marches but it was raining. I don't go out when it rains).
Today we are extremely multicultural.
So instead of day of unity where people come together, we celebrate an 'English colonial' day. I'm not blaming the English.I wouldn't be here, if not for my ancestors. But many of us want/ need a change of date that is inclusive of ALL ausralians.
Ok I've made my anzac biscuits........I'm now off to join friends immersed in the Aussie culture of bbq pool party. Got my grog, bit of bush weed and vegan sausages! So
HAPPY AUSRALIA DAY//INVASION DAY.
10
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I have been brainwashed by Hollywood to think of Australia in movie metaphors: ON THE BEACH, CROCODILE DUNDEE and THE PIANO.....toss in a roo & wallaby and sell me a Quantas tix
Larry68Feminist
Level 7
Jan 26, 2020
0
Unfortunately, nearly all nations have a history of "first nation" peoples being invaded and losing.sovereignty, Britain repeatedly so. (think Saxons, Romans, Vikings, Normans.)
The middle East is another area which has suffered the loss of sovereignty to waves of invaders. (And in some parts still is!)
Petter
Level 9
Jan 26, 2020
0
Just because invasions and take overs have gone on since our tribal days is no excuse for ignoring the needs of people in our midst who are still affected. A simple change date would mean so much to the Aboriginals. I tried to emphasise in my post that to the rest of us, the date hardly matters. It is a holiday and any excuse for a party. It is a little thing that would go a long way to recognising the atrocities that were done to Aboriginals and it would go a long way to promoting unity. Australia Day should be a celebration for all Australians. It is not.
(Expressing my grief at your environmental situation!) Thanks for sharing the culture. G'DAY!
LucyLoohoo
Level 9
Jan 26, 2020
3
Great information. Thanks for this perspective and happy Australia Day//Invasion Day.
“Australian Unity Day” would sound better.
WilliamFleming
Level 8
Jan 26, 2020
2
Thanks I have long admired the Australian peoples.
You efforts continue to impress.
BBJong
Level 7
Jan 26, 2020
2
not a lot to admire these days. The kiwis outshine us again and again with their politics and human rights history.
@MsDemeanour my niece was in the zland- after college
road trip. I think you folks have alot of class; you have my kind of enthusiasm for life-the rest lack.
@MsDemeanour I recall your dust storm 2-3 years back.
We have to start to INTERACT with nature on its level...
We are in this together
nature doesn't invest in emotions; they are a human aspect of life-emotions.
@BBJong Yes I agree that we need to interact and connect with nature on its level....we are a part of the environment and some people forget that. And we need to connect with each other in a way that is separate from national borders. But emotion drives us, motivates us and causes change. I do see what you mean when debates between climate deniers and advocates interact. But scientists, not known for their emotional outbursts, who have been presenting their findings for 30 yrs have been largely ignored. Those in power, motivated by self-interest, promote misinformation, need to be pushed to act. Human rights like sexual and racial equality have only been brought about by passionate demonstrations as people took to the streets. The only thing that will get governments to act is if there is a threat they will not win the next election.
@MsDemeanour yes_think global/act local
Quite right. I just do not celebrate it, for the reasons you gave, but also because Australia is just not the country I think it could or should be. Ok, huge numbers would strongly disagree with me. I don't care. I studied Australian history and my first job was teaching 19th and 20th Australian history at university. So, I know my country's history, and this horrid politically correct Liberal Party Rupert Murdochized Australian history that is foddered now on days like Australia day, is not the history I know or reflect my values. As an Anglo Australian I say that. I suspect huge numbers of Australians are either apathetic or hostile towards it. I'll be working online, teaching, as usual.
David1955
Level 8
Jan 26, 2020
4
Indigenous peoples have always been mistreated. The USA is guilty as sin for the same attitude and behavior.
What the Sam Hill is a "piss-off"?
PondartIncbendog
Level 8
Jan 26, 2020
3
lol you mean 'piss-up'? that's where everyone gets blind drunk. 'Piss-off' is what you tell the neighbours when they yell at us for making a racket.
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