General News
8 February, 2024
Celebrate our uniqueness, says speaker
Graeme Turpie was guest speaker at the Newbridge ceremony, urging a celebration of uniqueness ONCE again we have the freedom to celebrate our national identity despite the continued campaign by sections of our population to destroy it. I regard...
Graeme Turpie was guest speaker at the Newbridge ceremony, urging a celebration of uniqueness
ONCE again we have the freedom to celebrate our national identity despite the continued campaign by sections of our population to destroy it.
I regard Australia Day as the opportunity to get together in large and small gatherings to give thanks for being so lucky to be living on the world’s largest island, governed by one of the world’s most stable democracies, and recognised as one of the world’s most successful multi-cultural nations.
And we have so many natural wonders, even if we have to spend half a year in travelling and half our salary on fuel to get around the nation to see them all.
Firstly let me say the obvious …. Australia Day on this date of January 26, is a controversial holiday. We have to accept that. It evolved over the years from various state observances such as Foundation Day in the state of New South Wales, the first part of this country to be claimed by the British with the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788.
Eventually it became Australia Day in 1946 and the choice of January 26 has been hotly debated since then.
Let’s briefly look at why. It is regarded with sadness today by our indigenous people as a reminder of the moment where they were dispossessed from their ancestral lands.
Migrants and refugees who have com and are continuing to arrive daily may also have conflicting emotions about today.
They may regard it as not as important at the traditional days they celebrated in their homelands, and that’s understandable.
Australian-born descendants of those pioneers who came from around the world may also have mixed feelings. Recognising the mistakes of our forefathers as well as remembering their achievements.
So, many peoples make up our population, which yesterday reached the 27 million mark.
But it saddens me that every year as Australia Day approaches we find we have failed to reach a consensus about Australia Day and argue about whether we should celebrate at all.
Here’s my point of view for what it’s worth. While we rightfully acknowledge the culture and history of First Nations peoples, and the bravery of refugees who risked their lives to make Australia home, Australia should also acknowledge the efforts of the pioneers and explorers and innovators who helped Australia become the nation of today.
So while the date may be controversial, welcomed by some and condemned by others, can I ask that in this year of 2024 we can celebrate in our different ways, our freedom, our pride in being part of this country, our thanks for Australia’s diversity, multiculturalism, our progress in today’s modern global world, and the togetherness of all citizens, regardless of our backgrounds and beliefs.
I’m sorry to say that many Australians appear ungrateful for this freedom we have to be different.
When you examine the Australian population of today, there are now more people living here who were born overseas than at any other time in the past century.
For many of them, hardship and heartbreak were the price they had to pay for that freedom, and it is precious. Let’s not take it for granted. Celebrate it.
Let enjoy our uniqueness - those quirky things that we do on this day. I mean where else in the world would you have the opportunity on a national day of winning a national gumboot throwing championship.. taking part in a lamington-eating contest.. laying bets on snail and crab races.
Celebrate the way we may do things differently and for the fun of it.
And let’s celebrate for our kids. The children of today have a great opportunity living in a land of religious and cultural freedom, with stable government, and a land which - one would hope - is mature enough to recognise past mistakes as well as great achievements, and to look forward despite our problems and differences with confidence to the future.