But this year could be the last time this annual public holiday is held on that date, because there's a huge "Change The Date" movement gaining momentum. On the 26th of January 1788, Governor Arthur Phillip raised the British flag at Sydney Cove, beginning the long destruction of Indigenous people and their culture. — Protesting about the day, I believe, is a smokescreen to obscure the real problems that many Aboriginal Australians face today. Today many Australians celebrate Christmas for other reasons: family; end of another hard year; food and drink; and summer holidays. Australia has changed almost beyond recognition in regard to Aboriginal people in recent years. Is it time for Australia to move its national day of celebration? This is part of a series examining Australian national identity, especially around the ongoing debate about Australia Day.
Arthur Phillip arrived at Sydney Cove and raised the national flag of the United Kingdom on January 26, 1788.
Aboriginal academic Chelsea Bond writes: I march in remembrance for those who lost their lives simply defending their own land and people. While I see Australia Day as a day of celebration, it is also perfectly legitimate for people to take time to reflect on past injustices associated with the invasion. January 26 is fast approaching. However, I question the motives and sincerity of those claiming to be upset because of injustices committed in the past by what boils down to what one set of my ancestors did to another set of my ancestors. The high rates of violence in the Aboriginal population, particularly against women, are well documented – and widely known – yet there is comparatively little outrage.
As Australians deal with a record-breaking heatwave, environmental devastation and a sixth prime minister in just over a decade, the annual fierce debate over the country's national day might be the thing that pushes many of them over the edge. Why do I not see them upset by the injustices committed by Aboriginal people against other Aboriginal people today? And like most years, Aussies will spend that precious day off work, eating and drinking too much with friends in the sunshine. Calma believes the movement to change the date Is gaining momentum, adding: "We see the big marches and the protests, and participating in events around Australia. Ultimo, New South Wales, Public Sector Contract Management The Captain Cook statue in Catani Gardens in St Kilda is seen vandalised on January 25 in Melbourne, Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people see the date as the beginning of the deliberate destruction of their people and culture as colonists took lands they deemed "uninhabited" despite large indigenous populations living there.