Hi Lexi,

Yes, there were Indians and Africans amongst the crews of the ships of the First Fleet. And probably every ship that landed here for the next sixty years or more.

Incidentally, on the first ship to carry Bibles from the printeries in Sydney to the Rev. Kendall at Korororeka, in the Bay of Islands, northern New Zealand (in 1815), there was at least one Aboriginal crew member.

And some sixty thousand Indian troops died at Gallipoli fighting for the English. Some eighty thousand African troops died during the Second World War fighting for against fascism, and for our freedom.

Those people have earned their place here in Australia and we should be grateful for their sacrifices too.

Cheers,

Joe

Correction:

"Some eighty thousand African troops died during the Second World War fighting AGAINST fascism, and for our freedom." Of course.

But to give some lukewarm support to Hasbeen, I'm an atheist as well and I don't mind any particular religious celebrations, or rituals, or songs or dances. As long as everyone in Australia abides by the same laws, recognises the separation of church and state, and the equality of all citizens, men and women, and contributes to our open society, that's fine with me.

Joe

Dear Joe (Loudmouth),

Thanks for that. You brought a lump to my throat
and a tear to my eye. I remember my own grandparents
and parents - and how hard they worked and struggled
to make this country their home. The sacrifices they
made. They were part of the Baltic group of people
who were invited to come here by the Australian
Government - as displaced persons - after the Second
World War. They had lost not only their own country
but their family and everything they owned. Yet they
were so grateful nad felt so privileged to call
Australia "home." I was born in this country - as were
my brothers.

Anyway, I find the rants against "multiculturals" offensive.
Its' destructive. It disempowers people by devaluing their
identity. It destroys community cohesion and creates
division in society. It is the opposite of the democratic
principle of equality and the right of all people to be treated
fairly.

Rehctub, I guess you know this song?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0n552gP9X40&feature=youtu.be

More info and opinions on the ANZAC Day centenary:

http://www.news.com.au/national/fury-at-anzac-day-centenary-divisive-fears/comments-e6frfkvr-1226309777159

Dear Joe (Loudmouth),

All Australians are free to follow any religion they
choose, so long as its practices do not break any
Australian law. Australians are also free not to
follow a religion. Australia has secular government
and no official or state religion. Governments treat
all citizens as equal regardless of religion.
Religious laws have no legal status in Australia.
So I don't see the problem. And as I stated earlier -
the schools in my neighbourhood encourage diversity -
and many various celebrations. None of which have
affected the community in any negative way - on the
contrary - it's been interesting learning about other
customs - especially for the kids. And "Ho! Ho! Ho!"
id defintely allowed.