The relevancy of Australia Day : Melbourne Indymedia

MAYBE I'M THE ONLY ONE

Watching the television news, reading the newspapers and listening to the radio, I could be forgiven for thinking that I'm the only person in Australia that is both uneasy and embarrassed about celebrating Australia Day on the 26th January. Examining those smiling faces excitedly waving their Australian flags, I wonder how many people know the significance of the day. There seems to be a national consensus emerging, fanned by an uncritical fourth estate, that it's appropriate for Australians to celebrate what we believe are important values on the day that the original inhabitants of this continent were dispossessed of their land, language and culture.

I wonder how many of those excited faces madly waving Australian flags would feel about celebrating Australia Day on the day that foreign invaders robbed them of the very values that they believe are worth celebrating. It's undeniable there has been a cultural shift in this country, that tends to both ignore and devalue the historical reality faced by many people in Australia.

No amount of flag waving, back slapping jingoism and historical revisionism can change the facts. The 26th January marks the beginning of a colonisation process that drove a people that had lived on this continent for over 40,000 years to the fringes of European society. It's important to remember that the new Australia has been established on the blood and bones of those who have been dispossessed of their birthright by force.

To continue to celebrate Australia Day on the 26th January calls into doubt the very values that Australians believe are worth celebrating. To continue to mark the country's national day on a day that alienates a significant minority of the population, does not do anyone justice. A national day should be a day we all should be proud of. It's time the myths Australia Day are built on, are exposed and a national day that is inclusive and reflects values we can call our own, is decided by the Australian people initially via a non binding plebiscite and ultimately via a referendum.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

If Japan had succeeded in invading and conquering Australia during World War Two, I wonder how many Australians would think it's appropriate that Australia's national day is celebrated on the day Australia surrendered to the Japanese? Persisting with celebrating Australia Day on the 26th January, the day that marks the beginning of the colonisation process and the dispossession of the original inhabitants of this country, displays an immaturity and insensitivity that is hard to fathom.

If as a people we believe it's important we have a national day that we are able to be proud of, it's essential the day does not alienate a significant section of the community. It's time that consideration be given to choosing another day to celebrate Australia's national day.

Over the years the 1st January Federation Day, the 25th April ANZAC Day, the 1st September Wattle Day and the 3rd December Eureka Stockade Day have all been suggested as alternatives to the 26th January. Although each one of these days could be seen as a suitable alternative to the current celebrations, they don't quite measure up to the occasion.

An alternative for a national day, that's both inclusive and central to our identity as a people, is the 3rd June Mabo Day. On the 3rd June 1992 the High Court of Australia decided that indigenous Australians (as the occupiers of the land before white colonisation began), had rights to land in law. The 3rd June marks the beginning of the reconciliation process between this country's original inhabitants and the waves of immigrants that have now made this land their land. Jettisoning the 26th January as Australia's national day and replacing it with the 3rd June would make Australia's national day a day all Australians could proudly call their own.

From Anarchist Age weekly Review Number 579, 26th January -1st February 2004
and Number 578, 19th January - 25th January 2004.

More information on Maboday:
http://www.takver.com/history/ph_maboday.htm

Australia Day has mixed meanings to me. It is a day of over the top patriotism and nationalism. A day to stay at home and do some extra gardening. As a person of European ethnicity but several generations Australian born, I think of it as Invasion Day: when European civilisation commenced an invasion of Australia with the attendent theft of land, and destruction and dislocation of much of aboriginal society. But, in fairness, January 26 should be celebrated for what it was: the establishment of a brutal penal colony on the other side of the world from Britain. I would commemorate the day as Convicts Day.

Our public holidays do not adequately reflect the current history and culture of Australia. Going through the year I'd rearrange the public holidays calendar:

January 1: Federation Day to commemorate the 1st January 1901 when Australia celebrated its independence as a Commonwealth of Australia. This date could be used for government 'honours' lists and announcements.

January 26: Convicts Day, when we remember and commemorate the first European settlement of Australia as a penal colony, and the hardships the convicts and soldiers faced. We can also remember and celebrate that much Indigenous culture has survived European settlement.

Easter:

April 25: ANZAC Day. In which we commemorate those who fought or were killed in war. It would not be a glorification of war but a constant reminder of the inhumanity of all war.

May 1: Labour Day and international workers day. A day to commemorate the contribution of labour, working people and the common person in building and shaping society.

June 3: Mabo Day. To commemorate Eddie Mabo and the High Court decision which overturned the concept of Terra Nullius. A start to reconciliation with the indigenous peoples of Australia. A day to celebrate indigenous culture and reconciliation.

December 3: Eureka Day. 150 years ago the miners at Ballarat took up arms for fundamental democratic rights. Most of the miners demands were granted in the colony of Victoria within the year after the massacre at the Eureka Stockade. Eureka Day could be used for naturalisation ceremonies to affirm the rights and liberties of new citizens.

December 25: Christmas Day
December 26: Boxing Day

I believe the holidays above take into account key dates of nationhood (Jan 1), sacrifice and work (April 25, May 1), the first European settlement (Jan 26), reconciliation with Indigenous culture (Jun 3), the Australian democratic tradition (Dec 3), and also two major Christian religious festivals (Christmas and Easter) which have taken on more generic meanings.

The major changes are the addition of Mabo Day and Eureka Day and dispensing with a public holiday for the Queen's Birthday. I think its time Australia started celebrating its own history by the inclusion of these two public holidays.

What do you think?

it's interesting to see the commentary on Waugh winning this years "Australian of the year" award. One thing seems to be missing in the debate on the question of sports and the award and that is the legitimacy of the award itself.

The state does not have the right to determine who is the official "Australian of the year" for this is a kind of ranking system; if the state recognises Steve Waugh to be "Australian of the year" who is in second place? What ranking do others have? The award itself is absurd, and strikes right at the heart of liberal values.

Being the anarchist I am, I am against many of those holidays. But I'll be reasonable... a classless society does not seem to be on the future agenda of our rulers, nor does its creation seem to be soon-coming.

I won't disagree too much with your proposed public holiday calendar.

I disagree with the naming of January 26, though. 'Convicts Day' ignores Aboriginals, (to put in your terms) unfairly, even if it is claimed that it is also a celebration of the survival of Indigenous culture (which hasn't really survived all that well, thinking about it). I would rather call it 'Invasion Day' or 'Survival Day' (I prefer the first name).

In your public holiday calendar, there doesn't seem to be enough recognition of Aboriginals, and that is my main objection at the elimination of Aboriginal reference in the name of the day (January 26).

I have no objection to a day being dedicated to convicts (indeed, they were forced to come here in chains, in appalling conditions). However, another date should probably be chosen. Perhaps the date when the practice of sending convicts to Australia was stopped is a date that could be used, rather than January 26. Or you could have both 'Invasion Day' and 'Convicts Day' on the same day (this just occured to me now, and seems better than my last suggestion). Or maybe you can just merge the names: 'Convicts and Invasion Day'.

I (mostly) reject the making of Eureka Day a public holiday. In such a case that it was indeed to become a public holiday, it would be hijacked even more by the State and its lackeys. The counter-argument is that it being a public holiday, those wanting to inform others of what the Eureka Stockade was really all about, can participate in larger-than-now 'counter-celebrations'.

I also mostly reject the official celebration of 'Labour Day' (May Day) on the same grounds as Eureka Day. The 'same' counter-argument applies.

My thoughts on this subject are mixed and have been for many years, first empathasing with one perspective then another as I gradually gained understanding.

For the author's comments, I agree in essence of what he says in terms of displacement but to move it to June 3 (Mabo) seems to me to be counter-productive. Why not simply leave it as is and raise awareness nationally?

To call it invasion day reminds me of the difference between manslaughter and murder - a degree of intent. A person is just as dead but the law recognises malice aforethought and unintended consequence.

It is this consequence that I think is the issue at stake since the landing and colonisation itself was a minor act in terms of numbers. The current date simply recognises the landing and founding of the colony as does July 21 when man (American) first set foot on the moon.

At the time, Britain enacted legislation to give a degree of protection for the native inhabitants (see your law books for that one) having recognised that whilst it was known as nullis, it was not empty nor should be treated as such and that there was potential for mistreatment of the original inhabitants.

I think it was the later problems caused by landholders putting up fences, the difference in concept of ownership bewtween whites and natives that created some source of conflict and that the later events followed from this, not from the intent of "invasion". The Japanese landing here in WWII would have had the express intent of invasion, including deliberate deprivation and subjugation.

If you read some of the recent history of the Kalgoolie and Coolgardie goldfields, the first whites there were picking nuggets direct from the ground as pointed out by the Aboriginals. The whites could not believe their luck and the Aboriginal's lack of concern and the Aboriginals could not understand the white man's excitement. This says to me that there are two completely different value systems here and that initially, there was no problem. It only happens later.

The later actions of various governments and by interested lobby groups leaves a lot to be desired and the damage is already done.

What I believe to be in the best interests of all parties is the recognition and knowledge of the facts with a bona fide attempt to find a satisfactory mediated solution. What this is, I do not know.

February 17th is to be a public celebration/memorial/state funeral with John Howard the PM in attendance of the life of Kerry Packer.

For all that he did - for example for Australian cricket - we had a minutes silence at the cricket when we all heard the terible news.

KP made it to be the richest bloke in Australia, owned his own home (s) loved (owning) sport, made and broke Governments and politicians, has passed on his wealth and expereince to his clever son James.

Surely considering how popular he was - otherwise hwo could he be so rich ? FEDBRUARY 17the should be a public holiday. I have phoned talk-back radio and many "ordinary people" agree with me on this.

having a day after some one who was extremly wealthy does not make any sense. His father was extremly wealthy to start off with and Kerry only maintained this wealth. If i had the wealth that Mr Packer had at the start of his business carrer i think i would be something pretty special also.

I felt most uncomfortable on Australia Day for at least 3 reasons:

1~ Australia is a participant in an illegal, aggressive war of vengeance on Iraq in which uncounted thousands have been murdered by Coalition of the Willing bombs.

2~ Australia mistreats asylum seekers.

3~ Many Austalians supported the execution of Van Nguyen.

Back-slapping on Australia Day to tell ourselves how wonderful we are as Australians serves as a distraction from our collective guilt. We need as much clamour and noise about the terrible things we aquiesce in to be a healthy people.
Well may we worry about extremist islamic terrorism while our judaeo-christian grandstanding hurts and terrorises so hypocritically.

"Then the idiot who praises, with enthusiastic tone,
All centuries but this, and every country but his own" --

W.S. Gilbert 1885

None so foolish as those who would self-congratulate at the behest of WS Gilbert.
The best contribution an individual, a community or a nation can make to a reasonable world is to practice self-awareness and self-examination.

"The best contribution an individual, a community or a nation can make to a reasonable world is to practice self-awareness and self-examination."

As opposed to self-flagellation? That was supposed to have gone away with the Dark Ages, or so I thought.

i just wanted to say that i whole-heartedly agree with you Joe. it is so obviously one of the most stupid, pig-headed and anti-loving days to celebrate and i for one hope that very soon it gets changed somehow. anyway i also wanted to thank you because your article is helping me with my australian studies presentation! have a great day.
sam.

It strikes me as a bit odd that anyone would insist upon accusing others of re-writing history even as they themselves are in the act of doing so. What I mean is this - national holidays are, by and large, days of celebration and you don't celebrate a loss as the author rightly pointed out.

So while the indigneous population of australia deserves to be respected like any other human being, to try and re-write history in such a way as to be "more sensitive" to the losers of that clash of civilizations strikes me as absurd.

There is no need to rub a victory in anyone's face - whether in sport or otherwise - but to scold someone who has been victorious into shame for their victory is going too far.

Today I went to the Official website set up by the Government and to my disappointement, the Government has failed to mention the real resaon we celebrate Australia Day.
I am a descendant of those who were actually there on the first Australia Day and proud to say I am.
Let us not forget that it was a day the English chose to acknowledge the settlement of Australia by the English - not necessarily a victory, but a date we should always remember.
To me Australia Day is a celebration of the Landing of the First Fleet, to celebrate Australia day with out mentioning it, is like celebrating Christmas day with out mentioning Christ.
Lets stand up and be proud, lets stop appeasing every one. Political Correctness has gone mad.
Nobody is worried about the offending the descendants of the people whe were there on the First Australia Day.
Thank you