We're told that some Indigenous people look
upon Australia Day as "Occupation Day."
To other Australians it is a day of barbeques,
fire-works. A public holiday, to be spent with
family and friends.

Traditionally we've come together on this day
to celebrate what's great about Australia
and being Australian. To reflect on what we've
achieved and also reflect to re-commit to making
Australia even better for the future.

It's a day driven by communities, and celebrations
held in each town, suburb or city.

There's commercials on television telling us - it's
a day when we're supposed to eat lamb.

But what does it really mean to us?
Any, or none of the above?

It is a national day - the day on the 26th January when the
First Fleet brought 11 convict ships from Great Britain raising
the Union Jack at Sydney Cove by the commander Captain
Arthur Phillip.

It also has modern significance of what has been achieved
since that time - a diverse country.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Other countries do not have the extreme leftist political correctness that consistently fails to recognise and is obliged to dump on and shame the Early Settlers and Explorers and those who have carried on their traditions.

Wouldn't it be good if this pioneer's life (among others) was celebrated on Australia Day, for example?

http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/kenny-elizabeth-6934

Those TV commercials are only partly right: it's a day we're supposed to eat LAMINGTONS!

As for Australia Day, to be a celebration for all Australians it really should be on January 1 (Federation Day) rather than on NSW Proclamation Day.

Lamingtons

A reminder as some here would realise, of the CWA that provided so much support to women in difficult times when they could only count on themselves.

"We aim to improve the conditions for women and children and make life better for families, especially those living in rural and remote Australia."

One of a number of voluntary organisations with noble aims and consistently met. Still working. Example from Qld,

"By staying in QCWA accommodation, you are assisting the Association to support women suffering through personal crisis or natural disaster.

So, when looking for somewhere to holiday, why not consider QCWA accommodation"

http://qcwa.org.au/accommodation.php

Something to remember and celebrate.

Dearest Foxy,

Almost all the Indigenous people I know couldn't give a toss about Australia Day, except that it's a holiday. Nor do they seem to care two hoots about 'Recognition' either. When I ask, they ask back, 'Recognition of what ?' Good question. What do you reckon, Foxy ?

On the other hand, I could be wrong but I think that this Australia Day marks the fiftieth anniversary of Eric Bogle's arrival in Australia (which he wrote about in his wonderful song 'Shelter': it should be our national anthem). He arrived on a blistering hot day in Melbourne (so another day in hell) and found himself in the middle of an anti-Vietnam-War demo. And promptly joined in, of course. Now, THAT's an introduction to Australia.

Love,

Joe

Dear Joe,

You'd know more about what Indigenous people feel
about Australia Day then I would. I know some are
very outspoken around this time on TV.

However,I know more about people
who've come from elsewhere.

Our neighbours who're from the UK have often stated
that had they stayed in the UK - their daughter
would have been pregnant at 16 and they all would
have been living in council high rise flats with no
job, no car, and a poor standard of living.
They claimed that coming to Australia was the best
thing they ever did, coming to this beautiful country.

Look at the beauty that is uniquely this country -
The Harbour Bridge, Manly Ferry, Kakadu, Kimberleys,
Olgas, Koalas, Kangaroos, and Uluru. All things unique.
That's what makes us,
us.