AUSTRALIA DAY...JUST A DATE, OR MUCH MORE?

By Ross B. Taylor AM

I was saddened to see so much anger, hurt and spitefulness during the Australia Day celebrations this year. And the level of protests are growing.

Putting the emotion of what date should represent 'our' Australia Day, I personally feel there should be only one date: 1st January, a date that celebrates the coming-together of our states as a single nation in 1901.

Most other nations celebrate their foundation of nationhood as their primary day; we should do the same. There is another reason of course, that being so many of our First Australian's feel the 26th January represents a day of tragedy and mass murder. I really do understand how they must feel. Hurt.

So could the 1st of January work in a practical way? I reckon it could be a great date: We could create a wonderful festival spanning 48 hours and including New Year's Eve, followed by huge breakfasts on New Year's morning to kick-off the Australia Day events. It might also encourage us to enjoy New Year's Eve without the pre-requisite to get 'pissed'.

We really still struggle as a nation with addressing the question: Who are we? We are still too frightened to leave the monarchy; we are too frightened to have our own Australian flag; we are too frightened to celebrate the birth of a unified nation on New Year's Day.

Maybe that's why at times we like to be loud, drunk, and belligerent; to hide our deeper insecurities about who we are and what we stand for?

By any measurement, Australia is a wonderful country and most people are really decent and caring. But maybe we need to show a commitment in 'going it alone' in our region, and to show a quite confidence in ourselves?

We can start this by celebrating Australia Day on the anniversary of our birth as a nation; a day to bring ALL Australians together.