Today commemorates the day in 1788 the first Europeans landed in what was to become known as Australia at Sydney Cove in Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) to establish a penal colony.
Due to the loss of the American colonies following the War of Independence, the British were looking for somewhere else to ‘dump’ their convict population. The east coast of New Holland ‘discovered’ by Captain James Cook back in 1770 looked like the ideal place. Remote, seemingly rich in natural resources and, according to them unoccupied ie. terra nullius.
This date has become more controversial as time has gone on.
Meant to celebrate the beginning of our nation, it is obvious that the indigenous population who had been here tens of thousands of years before the Europeans arrived see it more as an invasion day and the start of the end of their stewardship of the land and the demise of their traditions and culture.
It’s hard to argue, given what has happened since, that is not the case.
Debate over a change of date rages on.
Finding a satisfactory alternative is a sticking point.
The day we become a republic and cut ties with the United Kingdom entirely would be a satisfactory one but unfortunately that is currently a pipe dream.
Many will take part in the today’s activities, some with nationalistic, even jingoistic fervour.
We won’t be.
And here are the alternate activities that will be held across the country today.
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