That's exactly my problem with Australia Day. Everyone is too keen to embrace their inner bogan, while the original Australians are largely ignored. Nobody seems to spare a thought for our indigenous friends who associate January 26th with the invasion of their lands and the slaughter of innocent people at the hands of Captain Cook and his cronies.
Why can't we use the day to celebrate the diversity of cultures we have in Australia, as well as using it as a day to reflect and learn about the history of the nation (Indigenous history included)? That's how I see Australia Day, and that's how I teach it in my history classes.
it is for sure. i am not australian but have traveled there and have family in sydney. i personally like brisbane and melbourne more though. just vibed with those cities a lot better; more laid back.
BTW: I'm one of the few Australians that doesn't drink alcohol or get drunk. I spent my beautiful Australia Day with my daughters friends family. It was a day for the kids. We were going to go to Bents Basin or Bundeena, but just had a BBQ at their house while the kids got drenched in a water balloon fight! I did two racks of lamb ribs on the webber, and about a dozen lamb chops & heaps of snags (sausages) for the kids. Australia mate...Lovin' it!
I've only been to Australia once and only a small part of it but from what I've saw and read it looks like Australia has at least acknowledged and recognized the history of what happened to indigenous Australians a bit better than what the US has to Native Americans. Unfortunately history cannot be redone but I don't see any reason why current Australians shouldn't feel proud on Australia day for where the country is now while also acknowledging everything that happened before. To me this would be like saying Americans shouldn't celebrate the 4th of July because of things like the Trail of Tears and the continuation of slavery long after it had ended in the UK.
That sounds like the right attitude and I was impressed with the diversity of Perth and also with how many remainders there were also of its indigenous past.
