Skip to main content
Newsletter

This is Australia Day (26th January)

this-is-australia-day

Australia Day Debate Still Rages in 2021

One of the biggest news stories (or so the media like to have us think) is the former tennis great Margaret Court's promotion to the highest level of the Order of Australia, as part of this years Australia Day Awards coming under fire from two state premiers and LGBT groups concerned about her past criticisms of same-sex marriage.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has described Australia Day as "a chance for Australians from all walks of life, from all backgrounds” to join together to celebrate how far the country has come."

He said it was important to be honest about Australia’s past “failings” while also still being able to recognise its achievements.

While the idea of every Australian joining together on January 26 to celebrate might be Mr Morrison’s goal, experts say it is not the reality and it is unlikely to ever be achieved.

January 26, 1788, was the day the British First Fleet of convict ships arrived at Sydney Cove and founded the colony of NSW.

For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the anniversary of this day is not one to celebrate as it marks the start of the dispossession and marginalisation of Indigenous Australians. Many actually call it "Invasion Day."

Reconciliation Australia, says, many Aboriginal people wish to celebrate Australian values and freedoms but feel they can’t do that on January 26.

“The historical events of January 26 mean that many Australians – both Indigenous and non-Indigenous – perceive it as a date that marks the commencement of a long history of violence and trauma."

This is the basis of the ongoing argument for changing the date of Australia Day to one all Australians can celebrate. (Source: news.com.au)

this-is-australia-day

My Australia Day 2015

Today, 26th January was 'Australia Day' and a public holiday for all Australians. To celebrate this occasion my wife Kathy and I were invited to a BBQ hosted by the local QCWA (Queensland Country Women's Association) and held in a quiet bush setting at the home of some close friends.

Despite impending storms (which fortunately held off until we had finished lunch) and thunder threatening, we had a great day of good food and company in true "Aussie" tradition (informal, relaxed, and outdoors).

We actually cheated this year and had two Australia Day celebrations. Yesterday, Sunday 25th January we spent the day, and had another BBQ (Aussie's just love them) at our son's house. A nephew and his family that we hadn't seen for over two years contacted us to say they were passing through town and wished to catch up. We arranged to meet at Jared's for a BBQ and celebrate an early Australia Day. A day of fasting may be called for tomorrow to recover from an abundance of food.

While most Australians embrace a holiday and love to celebrate Australia Day in a variety of ways but generally relaxing with family and friends, good food and a few drinks, there is a lot more behind the day than that. I hope the rest of this hub may give you a little more insight.

this-is-australia-day

How It Came To Be

On 26th January 1788 British sovereignty was proclaimed over the eastern seaboard of Australia (at the time known as New Holland)when the British flag was raised at Port Jackson, New South Wales by Governor Arthur Phillip of the First Fleet.

Although it was not known as Australia Day until over a century later, records of celebrations on 26th January date back to 1808, with the first official celebration of the formation of New South Wales held in 1818. On New Years Day 1901, the British colonies of Australia formed a Federation, marking the birth of modern Australia.

It was not until 1935 that all Australian states and territories agreed on a national day of unity and adopted use of the term "Australia Day" to mark the date. Then not until 1994 was a nationwide public holiday declared on 26th January. unless it falls on a weekend in which case the following Monday becomes a public holiday instead.

The meaning and significance of Australia Day has evolved over time and proved somewhat controversial. The date has also been variously named "Anniversary Day", "Invasion Day", "Foundation Day", and "ANA (Australian Natives' Association Day).

Scroll to Continue
this-is-australia-day

The 2015 recipients are:

Australian of the Year 2015

Rosie Batty - Domestic Violence Campaigner

Senior Australian of the Year 2015

Jackie French - Author

Young Australian of the Year 2015

Drisana Levitzke-Gray - Deaf advocate

Australia's Local Hero 2015

Juliette Wright - Social entrepreneur

this-is-australia-day
this-is-australia-day

How the Day is Celebrated

In today's Australia, the holiday is marked by the presentation of the Australian of the Year Awards, announcement of the Australia Day Honours list and obligatory addresses by the Governor-General and the Prime Minister.

On Australia Day eve each year, the Prime Minister announces the winner of the Australian of the Year award, presented to an Australian citizen who has shown a "significant contribution to the Australian community and nation" and is an "inspirational role model for the Australian community". Other awards include Young Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, and an award for Australia's Local Hero.

The variety of celebrations across the country reflect the diverse society and landscape of the nation, with community and family events, reflections on Australian history, official community awards, as well as citizenship ceremonies welcoming new immigrants into the Australian community. The day is celebrated in cities, towns, and small communities around the nation. and Australia Day has become the biggest annual civic event in Australia.

A number of music festivals are held on this day, such as the Big Day Out, and the Australia Day Live Concert which is televised nationally. An international cricket match has also traditionally been held for many years on Australia Day at the Adelaide Cricket Oval.

this-is-australia-day
Children carrying the Australian Aboriginal Flag in Brisbane on Australia day.

Children carrying the Australian Aboriginal Flag in Brisbane on Australia day.

this-is-australia-day

1 / 3

Australia Day and Indigenous Australians

The choice of 26th January as the day of celebration for all Australians has been questioned and debated since the 1800s. That the day might symbolise invasion, dispossession and death to many Aboriginal people was a concept alien to the average Australian even until the latter half of the 20th century.

It has consistently been argued that January 26th “can never be a truly national day for it symbolises to many Aborigines the date they were conquered and their lands occupied. This divisive aspect to 26 January, the commemoration of the landing at Sydney Cove will never be reconciled” (Sydney Morning Herald 2 Jan 1995)

By 1888, the year of the centenary celebrations, the white population had increased significantly while the Aboriginal population had declined from at least 750,000 in 1788 to a mere estimated 67,000. (Aboriginal people were not counted in the census until after 1967).

Involvement of the Indigenous community on Australia Day has taken many forms – forced participation in re-enactments, mourning for Invasion Day, peaceful protest through to an acknowledgment of survival and an increasing participation in community events.

"Invasion Day" has been widely used to describe the alternative Indigenous observance of Australia Day. Although some Indigenous Australians celebrate Australia Day, Invasion Day protests occur almost every year. In Sydney in 1988 a large gathering of Aboriginal people led an "Invasion Day" remembrance protest marking the loss of Indigenous culture.

Re-enactments of Arthur Phillip’s landing continued to be part of Australia Day ceremonies around the country until the Bicentennial in 1988 when the New South Wales government refused to condone a re-enactment as part of their official proceedings.

26th January is also known as "Survival Day" and marked by events such as the Survival Day concert first held in Sydney in 1992, celebrating the fact that the Indigenous people and culture have not been completely wiped out. An increasing number of Indigenous communities are now participating in their local Australia/Survival Day ceremonies and celebrations. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags are raised alongside the Australian flag.

The Woggan-ma-gule ceremony is also part of the day and offers a model for the present and future. It says that the Indigenous ceremony is an important and integral part of being a modern Australian. It offers recognition that the storylines of the past are full of pain because of the dispossession, brings the Indigenous voice back to the sacred grounds once more, and promotes values held by us all: the values of respect, tolerance and justice, for if asked, all Australians would say that these are central to our identity.

Hundreds of Invasion Day protesters march at the back of the Australian Day Parade in Melbourne's CBD. Photo: Jason South

Hundreds of Invasion Day protesters march at the back of the Australian Day Parade in Melbourne's CBD. Photo: Jason South

Are We a Democratic Society?

In Australia we consider our society a democracy. According to The Australian Oxford Dictionary, the term democracy refers to "government by the whole population, usually through elected representatives; nation so governed or classless and tolerant society' (p284). Democracy is specified as:
1) The idea that all people in a country have identical rights.
2) A political system of social organisation where a representative and accountable government is elected and given the responsibility of ensuring the maintenance of law and order."

An integral part of a democracy is diversity of views. Gandhi said: "Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress. But honest debate can only come through trust and understanding, based on knowledge, not prejudices."

Debates such as: .

  • Is it Australia Day or Survival Day?;
  • Is a treaty a good thing for Australia;
  • Should we have a Bill of Rights?
  • Should our Constitution be amended to recognise our Aboriginal people?

are important for our society as they are part of the actual fabric of true democracy.

And if we call ourselves a democracy, then it is important to reflect on the successes of such a democracy, as well as the areas that need improvement. This can be done by asking ourselves a series of questions.

  • Are all members of our society equal before the law?
  • Do all members of our society have equal access to health and education services?
  • Are identifiable groups in our society over-represented in prisons or below the poverty line?
  • Are people free to walk anywhere at anytime?

Although there have been major advances made in regard to improving 'equality' and 'reconciliation' in recent years I still don't think we can be comfortable with the answers to these questions. Until we are then we are not a truly successful democracy.

Continuing Protests

this-is-australia-day

Update Deng Thiak Adut's Inspiring Australia Day Speech

References:

australia day.com.au

wikipedia.org

© 2015 John Hansen

Comments

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 22, 2021:

This is a wonderful article, Beata. Thank you for the link.

Beata Stasak from Western Australia on January 22, 2021:

https://discover.hubpages.com/politics/Power-and-P...

Beata Stasak from Western Australia on January 22, 2021:

https://letterpile.com/personal-essays/Isolation-i...

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 27, 2016:

Thank you for revisiting this hub Chitrangada. It is Republic Day for you isn't it? If so have a great one.

Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on January 27, 2016:

Came back to read your wonderful hub once again and wish you A Very Happy Australia Day!

I learnt a lot about your beautiful country through your hub.

Thanks for the education.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on May 08, 2015:

Hi RTalloni, thanks for reading this hub. Glad it was helpful and hope you do get to visit our shores one day.

RTalloni on May 08, 2015:

Thanks for some education on Australia Day and issues related to it. This is a useful read for anyone for understanding different countries roots, progresses, failures, and questions helps everyone. One of our children has visited your country, and we have friends there, but it's still on our to do list. Maybe one day… :)

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on March 14, 2015:

haha Catherine, at least the British are responsible for giving both our countries something to celebrate even if it's for much different reason. Thanks for the vote up.

Catherine Giordano from Orlando Florida on March 13, 2015:

Very interesting. In the US we celebrate kicking the British out of the colonies, and in Australia you celebrate welcoming them in. January is summer in Australia so you celebrate the same as we do on July 4th--barbeques. Voted up ++

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on March 12, 2015:

Hi Bill, thanks for reading this hub. Yes from what I hear Australia Day is similar to your 4th of July. With this world now being so small and more and more people travelling overseas, the Internet etc it amazes me that there are still so many things about our own countries that others aren't aware of. I find that when I am at a lo for something to write I can't go wrong looking in my own backyard to come up with something that is new to others here on HP. I hope you do get to extend your travels to Australia one day soon. Our dollar is the lowest it's been for ages compared to the $US..(around 70c).so it's a good time to come here.

Bill De Giulio from Massachusetts on March 12, 2015:

Hi John. How interesting. I was not familiar with Australia Day so I learned something new today. It sort of reminds me of our Fourth of July or maybe our Thanksgiving Day.

I have wanted to visit Australia for some time now. A good friend of mine just returned from there a few weeks ago and raved about it. Hopefully we'll get the opportunity to visit in the future. Thanks for the glimpse into your beautiful country.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on February 13, 2015:

Thanks for reading this Suhail and for the great comment. i am pleased that you have a genuine interest in Australia. I imagine you will be watching The Cricket World Cup that begins tomorrow. Steve Irwin was a wonderful Australian and Robyn Davidson 's journey across inland Australia was remarkable.I have never been an AC/DC fan but I think I am in the minority there. Good luck with your plans to visit soon and thanks for the belated Australia Day wishes.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on February 13, 2015:

Yes that is most definitely a misconception Blackspaniel. The Indigenous people have been fighting for equality and better conditions for many years, but their voice has been effectively suppressed to the rest of the world.Almost the entire aboriginal population of Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) were wiped out following British colonization. Thanks for reading.

Suhail Zubaid aka Clark Kent from Mississauga, ON on February 13, 2015:

Hi Jodah,

Very well written and an informative hub! I liked reading it.

My interest in Australia comes from the love of cricket and squash, listening to AC/DC since 1980s, following programs and movies of Steve Irwin, the crocodile hunter, and most importantly from reading the book Tracks by Robyn Davidson, who completed a 1700 miles distance in Australian outback from Alice Springs to Perth in the company of 4 camels and one dog.

Australia is a great country that I will definitely visit one day soon.

Finally, a belated happy Australia Day.

Blackspaniel1 on February 12, 2015:

I had always thought that Australia was settles alongside the indigenous people, and there was no hostility. Apparently this was a misconception.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on February 12, 2015:

Thanks for the belated Australia Day wishes Mel. It was a good one. Good to hear that you fell in love with Australia during your naval service Mel. It does seem our two countries have a lot in common, both good and bad. Cheers.

Mel Carriere from Snowbound and down in Northern Colorado on February 12, 2015:

God bless the Aussies and happy belated Australia Day! Coincidentally enough, Jan 26 is when I joined the Navy, and two trips to your country on board a naval cruiser made me fall in love with the place. I have often said if there was one other country I would die for it would be Australia.

The United States also has a sullied history of mistreating our native people. We pushed them to new lands, said it was theirs forever, then took that away later too, usually when gold was discovered there.

Anyhow, great hub and happy Australia Day!

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on February 10, 2015:

Thank for reading peachpurple. No need to apologise for the late comment. We Aussies do like to enjoy our holidays.

peachy from Home Sweet Home on February 09, 2015:

sorry for late comment, happy australia day and you guys seem to have so much fun than Asians holidays, voted up

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on February 08, 2015:

Thanks for your insightful comment Deb. It would be great if an Australian Aboriginal could be the next Nobel Prise winner. Believe me there are plenty who are worthy.

Deb Hirt from Stillwater, OK on February 08, 2015:

I have heard of Australian Day(I was given a calendar from Scotland for Christmas), so thanks for explaining the holiday. I think it is necessary to make the aborigines proud of their heritage, and Australian should be proud of them, too. One of them could be the next Nobel Prize winner...

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 29, 2015:

Thank you Chris, glad this hub was interesting and informative for you. I did have a nice Australia Day. Thanks for the vote up too.

Krzysztof Willman from Parlin, New Jersey on January 29, 2015:

This is an excellent and highly interesting, thorough hub. I had no idea about this event. Hope you had a Happy Australia Day as well. The pictures were great. Voted up

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 28, 2015:

Thanks Frank..if you ever get to visit these shores I'm sure we'll find something to celebrate. Aussies don't need much of an excuse for a BBQ and a few beers :)

Frank Atanacio from Shelton on January 28, 2015:

I hope your holiday was fun enjoyable.. and entertaining.. I'm sorry I never heard of any holidays you mentioned in your poll, but rest assure I'll be the first in-line to help celebrate!!!!

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 28, 2015:

Yes Jamie, I had a "happy" Australia Day thanks. I appreciate the comment and glad you enjoyed reading this.

Jamie Lee Hamann from Reno NV on January 28, 2015:

I hope you had a Happy Australia Day or is it Merry? I like how you discuss the holiday and the controversy behind the holiday it makes for a very fulfilling read. Jamie

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 28, 2015:

Thank you for the kind comment Pamela. Australia Day is a good celebration and it will be even better when we all come together to find common ground and celebrate what we have in common. I hope you get to visit here one day.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on January 28, 2015:

I learned some Australian history from your hub. It sounds like a great celebration. I would love to visit Australia. Awesome hub!

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 27, 2015:

Thanks for reading Alicia. It seems our countries have a lot in common and some of the same problems as well. Have a good day.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 27, 2015:

Yes apparently so Audrey. Australia has refused to sign the UN human rights legislation, and we are going turning back asylum seekers or sending them to detention centres off shore at Naru and Manus Island. So the Bill of Rights may be in some contention.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 27, 2015:

Thanks Mike. I have heard of Fatal Shores but haven't read it. Glad to hear you are aware of our history then. It is quite interesting when you hear it from both sides.

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on January 27, 2015:

Thank you for sharing the interesting information about Australia Day, Jodah. Thank you also for discussing the situation of the indigenous people of your country and their culture. Like you, I think these are important topics to consider, just as they are here in Canada.

Audrey Howitt from California on January 27, 2015:

I ghosted a series of articles for an Australian attorney a couple of years ago on the issue of a bill of rights in Australia--is that still being argued?

mckbirdbks from Emerald Wells, Just off the crossroads,Texas on January 27, 2015:

Happy Holiday. Years ago I read Fatal Shores which outlined the rich history of your homeland.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 27, 2015:

cfin, you make a very good point. I too am of the opinion that we all need to get over what happened in the past and move on as a United people. You are write..we didn't commit the atrocities, our ancestors (or the British to be precise) did. If anyone really needs to apologise to the Aboriginal people it is the British Government, but then almost every country has been invaded and conquered at some stage and very rarely is there an apology. Thanks for your insightful comment.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 27, 2015:

We are learning new things every day. What a coincidence to be in Turkey during the ANZAC Day commemoration at Gallipoli. You certainly must have wondered what was going on. Thanks for reading brownella.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 27, 2015:

Thank you Vellur. So glad you found this hub interesting.

cfin from The World we live in on January 27, 2015:

Eventually lets hope the conquerors and the conquered can live together as one, realizing that it was their ancestors who carried out these deeds and not them. Mutual respect and moving on can only result in a better life for everyone involved.

brownella from New England on January 27, 2015:

Fascinating hub. I have a couple Australian friends but I had never heard of Australia day. I did learn about Anzac day last spring but only because I happened to be in Turkey in late April and finally asked one of the huge groups of Australians what was going on. Thanks for sharing :-)

Nithya Venkat from Dubai on January 27, 2015:

Interesting and informative enjoyed reading all about Australia Day.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 27, 2015:

Thanks for accepting my invite Wednesday-Elf. I was hoping you'd find something in this hub of interest. It was a good day. I appreciate the up vote too.

John Hansen (author) from Australia (Gondwana Land) on January 27, 2015:

Yes national pride is high in this country. We are quite proud to be Australian. Yes I know about washing your car and it will rain. Water is normally scarce here so if it starts to rain I take the car out and wash it in the rain..invariably that makes it stop... :) ..Thanks for your comment Arachnea