Dear Paul,

From what I saw in this year's celebrations - we are headed
in the right direction. The celebrations this year were very
inclusive and as time goes by I'm sure that they will become
even more so. The meaning of Australia Day will eventually
include us all. All who came and contributed and have changed
and made this country what it is today. Including the flowering
of Aboriginal spirituality, culture, and creativity that despite
everything - still survives.

After all - "We are one, and we are many..." And that shall
remain - despite what a small minority would like to dispute.
Their voices are like farts in a blizzard. And as effective.

to TTBN,

You're full of it....get a tan and stop bleating BS

Hi Again Foxy,

We can be all warm and fuzz on Australia Day, loaded up with lots of inclusion, but 26th January is simply the wrong day to do that. I likened it to Germany having their National Day on the Fuhrer's birthday, 20th April, then claiming its "all good" for our Jewish brethren as we're not celebrating the Fuhrer as such, but our national day, which includes you, it just wouldn't wash. What are the impediments to moving Australia Day to January 1st, we can still wear cheap Chinese thongs, with the Aussie flag, have ferry races on Sydney Harbour and fireworks at night. From my family, friends and neighbours I didn't detect any great nationalistic sentiment on 26th, when I got home from town my neighbour was cutting the grass, maybe he was being patriotic.

ttbn, wouldn't a bigoted racist just love to reintroduce the 'White Australia' Policy, I'm sure those of your ilk would demand must stiffer action than previous under the policy, maybe kick out all those undesirable darkies and their white sympathisers. Hummmm?

Dear Paul,

I totally agree that we need to change the date. Most nations
celebrate their national day on the day of independence from
their colonial power, not the day of colonisation. And, Jan.
26th does not celebrate the establishment of Australia as a
country but marks the foundations of the British colony in NSW.

A different date would be a significant symbolic act towards
reconciliation. I agree that we should as a nation keep on
trying and working towards changing the meaning of Australia
Day. I keep repeating that it may take time to agree on a date,
but it needs to be done.

As for ttbn? Whatever is eating him must be suffering terribly.

A few points for the Leftist haters:

. Migrants bust a gut to come here

. Australia is a world-leader on Indigenous rights

. Australians have fought in every major war since the Boer War, for a better world

. Australia banned slavery at the point of the country's conception on the 26th. January, 1778.

. Australia is one of the most developed and prosperous nations in the world

. We have helped build the world with our incredible iron ore and coal mining industries

Whoa! what a heated argument on this thread...

On a lighter note.

Time for what should be our anthem "We Are One".

Though you'll see I've adjusted it on new improved minorities to majority proportional basis http://youtu.be/rjkrjYitgeA?t=29s