Australia Day

Today, as I stand in Naarm/Melbourne, the traditional lands of the Kulin Nation, I reflect on what Australia means to me - how lucky I am to call this amazing place home. But more importantly what it means to the First Nations people & the injustices of colonisation, which happened in Sydney Cove on this day 235 years ago. Arthur Phillip declared British sovereignty - unjustly denying & ignoring First Nations preceding sovereignty. Indigenous peoples were made outcasts on their own land. 

However, I’m not yet persuaded that changing the date fixes the problem. This would be largely symbolic and lets ourselves off the hook too easily. Why not keep the productive tension January 26 creates, and use this to propel change? Change to redeem the date, and make good, sign the treaty that will unite us as one Australia. Change is happening & every year the movement gets stronger. The current inhabitants of this land are more and more understanding & appreciating what ‘Invasion Day’ is about. 

It should be the day we finally bring together our Indigenous heritage, our British inheritance and our multicultural triumph. We are Australia ❤️

I highly recommend the book History of Australia : A Captivating Guide to Australian History, Starting from the Aborigines Through the Dutch East India Company, James Cook, and World War II to the Present. Learn More