In the last few days, while two thirds of Australians celebrated or quietly contemplated Australia Day, and what it means them, and why the 26th. of January is a significant date, hate-fuelled mobs took to the streets declaring war on white Australians and demanding race-based taxes; on top the $30 billion handed out annually to the aboriginal industry.

And, Albanese proved that the Voice is not needed by hopping on a plane and going to listen to the voices of real people in Alice Springs. After being shamed into it of course.

I guess we all see things from our own levels and
perspectives. I was very impressed as I watched the
early morning ceremony on Australia Day from Canberrs.
I didn't see any hatred on the contrary I saw lots of
smiles. I saw welcome to country - the paying of respect
to our Indigenous people. I saw Indigenous flags, native
dancers, Aboriginal spirituality, culture and creativity
flowering through the tv screen.

I saw citizenship ceremonies, our national anthem sung in
two languages, All very memorable.

It made me realize that as a nation we should keep on
working towards unification, reconciliation, It may take
time - but it needs to be done . Instead of division - we
do need to celebrate a day of positive associations for all
Australians - both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. And we do
have to work out what that date is together.

January 26th does not celebrate the establishment of Australia
as a country but marks the foundation of the British colony
in NSW.

Most nations celebrate the their national day on the date
of independence from their colonial power, not the day of
colonisation.

Unfortunately the date of 26th January has negative
associations for all Australians - both Indigenous and
non-Indigenous. It marks the start of dispossession and
discrimination of Indigenous Australians and the arrival of
convicts in chains.

A different date would be a significant symbolic act
towards reconciliation.

It is something worth debating, discussing, and working
towards changing the meaning of Australia Day. It may take
time, as stated earlier - but it will be well worth the
effort - instead of continuing to flog hatred and division
lets try for unity and setting the record straight.

Dear Foxy,

There is a mood shift isn't there. On twitter there are people lamenting the fact that on a drive across Melbourne they only saw a couple of Australian flags being displayed.

It is the majority of Australians who are taking a quiet but important stand. And these are the real Australians, ones who have taken the time to know, understand and take a degree of ownership of our past.

They are the ones who have decided things need to change, to nudge aside the status quo, and to look to a embrace a more inclusive future.

It is similar to the mood at the Victorian election. The yipping chihuahuas of the right get so caught up in their ideology and sloganeering they miss the general sentiment.

There are a lot of good people out there.

Dear Steele,

I read an article recently in The Sydney Morning Herald
(Jan 27th) that When First Nations people around the
country were asked recently if they support a First Nations
Voice an overwhelming 80% said YES. Only 105 would vote no and
10% were still to make up their minds.

Commentators and politicians fill newspapers with their opinions
as well as air-waves. Of course they will influence some
people. However I agree with you - there are good people out
there. Who confirm what was found in the dialogues that were
had in Aboriginal communities more than five years ago which
confirmed that First Nations people did want a Voice in our
regions, cities, and remote areas.

It is a shame that a noisy 10% who too often claim to speak on the
behalf of our Indigenous people are making the most noise
and are getting so much unwarranted attention that they
don't deserve.

But I am sure that the time for The Voice has come, and it will
be voted in by most Australians.

Of this I have no doubt!

sorry - for the typo. Only 10% would vote no.
Not 105.

My son has a flag pole infront of his granny flat. Sometimes he flies an Australian flag, a reflection of his 10 years of navy service, sometimes the Eureka flag.

On the night of the 25Th we had a thunder storm which interacted with the flag hoist. In the morning the Oz flag was flying at half mast. On asking he assured this was not of his doing, but we both noted that a dumb flag pole could see the death of our Australia, which so many are too dumb to see.