Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted January 26, 2015 Members Posted January 26, 2015 Happy Australia Day to my Aussie friends! (The tradition of noticing January 26 began early in the 19th century with Sydney almanacs referrring to First Landing Day or Foundation Day. That was the day in 1788 when Captain Arthur Philiip, commander of the First Fleet of eleven convict ships from Great Britain along with the first governor of New South Wales, arrived at Sydney Cove. The raising of the Union Jack there symbolized British occupation of the eastern half of the continent claimed by Captain James Cook on 22 August in 1770. Some immigrants who prospered in Sydney, especially those who had been convicts or the sons of convicts, began marking the colony's beginnings with an anniversary dinner -- an "emancipist festival" -- to celebrate their love of the land that was now their home. Governor Lachlan Macquarie, the emancipists' friend, made the thirtieth anniversary of the day in 1818 a public holiday, thirty guns counting out the years of British civilization.) phkrause and Tom Wetmore 2 Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others?
Moderators Bravus Posted January 26, 2015 Moderators Posted January 26, 2015 Thanks, Pam! We had a truly fantastic and enjoyable, and very Aussie, day. Stayed over the night before with friends who have a house right on the beach, so in the morning we went for a swim in the surf, then bicycled down to a beachside cafe for breakfast. Chilled for a while at home then (less traditionally) went to see the movie 'Big Hero 6' (which we loved), then it was over to our daughter's place for a barbeque dinner with both our girls and their partners Crank and Peter, and Peter's parents who were visiting from England. Fantastic day. Gail and rudywoofs (Pam) 2 Quote Truth is important
Moderators Bravus Posted January 26, 2015 Moderators Posted January 26, 2015 There's a certain amount of disquiet with the date, and some moves afoot to change it to a more inclusive date that can be celebrated by all Australians. The arrival of the First Fleet marks the beginning of British colonisation, which has brought undoubted benefits but also some very dark chapters in relations with the First Peoples of the nation. Perhaps a change to the date of Federation, when the scattered colonies united to become one country. Or perhaps to the (future) date when we become a republic. I dunno... but I can see the point of making a change. rudywoofs (Pam) 1 Quote Truth is important
Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted January 26, 2015 Author Members Posted January 26, 2015 Australia's got a fascinating history of colonization. I haven't read much of the attitudes towards the First Peoples by the colonists, or vice versa.. Sounds like you had a GREAT day!!!! Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others?
Sojourner Posted January 26, 2015 Posted January 26, 2015 Australia Day is a popular public holiday in Australia and celebrated by many with a BBQ lunch - tea with family and friends. Many head to the beach also. The Prime Minister gives out annual awards and for people from other nations that wish to become citizens of Australia they have citizenship ceremonies. As for complaints about the date, that is from a minority on the left who have a political agenda. The same people also want to see the flag changed and the nation to become a republic also, yet support for these issues has plummeted in the years since the last referendum on becoming a republic. Quote
Moderators Bravus Posted January 27, 2015 Moderators Posted January 27, 2015 It'll be interesting to see how the PM's decision yesterday influences the republic discussion... Quote Truth is important
Moderators Bravus Posted January 27, 2015 Moderators Posted January 27, 2015 The Wikipedia article on Australia Day gives a good rundown of the issues. I suspect the date is unlikely to change. I did want to give a more nuanced and interesting description than just 'Aussie Aussie Aussie, oi! oi! oi!' of the day, though. We certainly have plenty to celebrate as a nation, and I always happily and proudly participate and am thankful on January 26. Quote Truth is important
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