Australia Day
- ilseluypaert
- Jan 26, 2022
- 2 min read
2022 January 26
Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. Observed annually on 26 January, it marks the 1788 landing of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove. The meaning and significance of Australia Day has evolved and been contested over time, and not all states have celebrated the same date as their date of historical significance.
In present-day Australia, celebrations aim to reflect the diverse society and landscape of the nation and are marked by community and family events, reflections on Australian history. (Home ‐ Australia Day)
It is the national holiday, but is also Invasion day, marked by Aboriginal Australians and supporters mourning what is seen as the invasion of the land by the British and the start of colonisation,
and protesting its celebration as a national holiday.
Today I see for the first time the Aboriginal flag on the Sydney Harbour bridge, next to the Australian flag. The Aboriginal flag has been set free only yesterday. It was protected by copyright and the Commonwealth made a deal and paid to set it free for use by all Australians.
We chose to celebrate Australian day by paying some respects to the Aboriginal people. We visited Yabun festival to get a first taste of Aboriginal culture by attending ceremonies, singing & dancing. It is hard to see anything in the video but just listen...
We supported Aboriginal businesses by getting ourselves presents. The kids all got a T-shirt with Aboriginal paintings of animals (this one is a possum) and I for myself some beautiful necklace and earrings with Aboriginal symbols.
After the festival we enjoyed time on water of Sydneys harbour, which is really the heart of Sydney.
Great victory. Finally government agreed 5th Feb to raise Aboriginal flag permanently on top of Sydney Harbour bridge!! 😊
https://www.broadsheet.com.au/national/city-file/article/finally-aboriginal-flag-will-fly-high-and-proud-sydneys-iconic-harbour-bridge-every-day-its-legacy-first-nations-people