Jan 26

This really won't mean anything to anyone outside of Australia and is connected to a blog I wrote a few days ago regarding Australia Day.

I have just found out that back in 1915/17 Australia Day was celebrated on July 27. It was originally a cause to raise money for the war effort.

There were various dates in different states of Australia for celebrations such as Foundation Day, Anniversary Day but it wasn't until 1935 that all states of Australia adopted a common date of January 26. In 1994 it was declared a public holiday.

Someone made the decision to hold a national celebration on a day that marked the dispossession and oppression of indigenous peoples. Maybe not the best idea...

The current date is so divisive, as I said previously, first nations people always refer to January 26 as invasion day, or the day they were robbed and always, every year, there are demonstrations. It never sits well with many and I'm certain it gives bad press to Australia around the world.

There is a growing voice to change the date to a less contentious one and I do tend to agree.

An image depicting the violence against Aborigines killed in massacres during white settlement.