Persuasive Essay On Australia Day

Conducted in a predominantly Aboriginal community, the former Prime Minister of Australia, Paul Keating addresses a controversial topic in celebration of

Ever since the first settlers arrived in Australia right up to the end of the 20th century indigenous Australians had limited rights compared to whit Australians. One of the biggest problems was that there were different laws and treatment of aboriginals depending on what state they resided in. The year of 1967 was a big year for indigenous rights as a referendum was held to give the federal government the power to make laws for all aboriginals. Many factors and events influenced the overwhelming success of 1967 Referendum but the Freedom Rides of 1965 was the most important of these events in making the referendum the most successful in Australia’s history.

INTRO: So, what is a republic? A republic is a democratic nation in which the highest public office is held not by a monarch, who inherits the position by birth, but instead by a citizen chosen on merit. Australia is a monarchy because it was colonised by the British in 1788. With them, they brought their lifestyles, culture and system of government. This type of government has remained up to this day.

The issue of not changing Australia day can be very sensitive to indigenous people The date suggestion of moving Australia day to another date is 1st of January, 25th of April (Anzac day) or the 1st of September (wattle day). The solution that Smith proposed was January 26th is a date that’s orientated towards when we gained our independence from British rule or perhaps a date bases on when Mathew Flinders when he first used the word ‘Australia’. The intended audience of this article is everyday Australian multi-cultural Australians. Smith focuses most of his attention trying to persuade people to change 26th of January (Australia day) to change it to First Fleet Day instead. In this article the truth is January 26 should be first fleet day, not Australia day by Smith in the

These lyrics from Bruce Woodley’s iconic song ‘I am Australian’ encapsulate the essence of the Australian identity: unity, equality and a fair go for all. However, underneath the surface of our seemingly egalitarian society, the statement ‘we are many’ is the only one that remains. We are a nation divided. Divided by the historic mistreatment of the first inhabitants of our land. Divided by the disadvantage, discrimination and dispossession of Indigenous Australians. Divided by the lack of true equality for all Australians. If we lack this basic equality, how can we say with good conscience that we are an egalitarian society?

Should Australia change the date of Australia Day? Some of you may be wondering why this is such a controversial issue and some of you might already know. If you don’t know why I’ll tell you. The date that we celebrate Australia Day is not the date we became our own country, you may be thinking “so what?” well I’ll tell you, the day we are celebrating is the day Great Britain invaded Australia and the start of when they tortured and killed thousands of the Australian indigenous people, there are multiple dates available that were important to Australia or represent Australia and this date has no monument recognizing the day so why is this day so important.

Australia Day is one of the most unique national day’s in the world throughout history, celebrating the day of when our ancestors first arrived on the borders of Australia, in 1788. Rather than unite people as one whole though, the spirited outcome of this event isn’t what as anticipated by everyone and has divided the Australian society for good. And so it should be held at an alternative date, where Australian citizens feel worthy of their identity and not cheated by it. However, the celebration shouldn’t be adapted to like that of other commemorations like ANZAC day. Essentially, this day will always be a tragic memory for the indigenous and be viewed as the invasion of their homeland. Also, while it’s significant to note the ‘foundation day’ of Australia, many people say that there were many other good memories made after that that are just as or if not more important. Finally, ANZAC Day is often thought of a replacement but shouldn’t

But what about every other Australian? What about the Indigenous population and the multicultural population? Both of these groups which make up and help define who we are as Australians, so I ask you all this morning to consider why is it that we find these groups constantly being marginalised, discriminated against and not being offered equal opportunity?

This extends to going to war. Shaun Tan and Gary Crew’s ‘Memorial’ represents how the bonds of friendship have led Australians into the most horrific of circumstances. The tree in the book embodies the memories of soldiers of past. It represents three generations of war in which Australia has fought and remembering the fallen comrades that died in battle. The book demonstrates an image of patriotism within Australia. Australian’s are prideful of past endeavours in war and celebrate this twice a year in ANZAC day on the 25th of April and Remembrance Day on the 11th of November. They celebrate this because the war represented the ultimate from the mateship. A prime example of this was the battle of Gallipoli, were the Australian soldiers (diggers)

The Ngunnawal People have been living within the borders and surrounding mountains of the Australian Capital Territory for over 25,000 years. The way the Indigenous people used the land to live off was extremely efficient and sustainable. They had a bounty of knowledge about the land surrounding them, and over generations, devised resourced management skills to ensure maintenance of the animals and plants, and most importantly, the land in which provided these things. Aboriginal culture existed long before Captain Cook arrived in Australia in 1770. He claimed the land to be "Terra-Nullius", meaning that the land did not belong to any person. This claim obviously seemed ludicrous and crazy to the Indigenous people whom already lived on the land.

The Gallipoli campaign had supplied for the first time a self named identity seen by many. 100 years later after the cease fire on November 11, 1918, we as a proud nation commemorate the ANZAC character every year on the 25th of April. We see that in source 12 that not only our own nation commemorates the ANZAC spirit but others also recognise the ANZAC 's. The photograph shows the Queen and the Royal Family with Prime Minister Menzies showing tribute to the ANZAC troops on the 50th Anniversary. (1923 poem by Joan Torrance source 10) this source shows the excessive emotions of dignity, and heightened awareness of fanaticism in Australia. This poem indicates its tribute to Australia instead of Britain. The poem also expresses that other nations identified Australia.

Columbus Day, a day in which the landing of Columbus in the Americas is recognized, it wasn’t until the year 1937 that it became a Federal Holiday. It is a Day in which many celebrate his ‘achievements’ and Italian heritage. Among other things this day serves to celebrate Columbus’s vile acts of possessing land that was already another’s territory. I am against the idea of ‘Columbus Day’ and believe it should be changed. Changed to honor and recognize the Indigenous people who lost their lives and belongings due to the arrival of Christopher Columbus and his men. I see him as nothing more than a Robber, evil mastermind, and murderer. After all, how can we celebrate

Bruce Scates declaration that the Great War as nothing but a loss that tore Australia to pieces is, in part, a very truthful one. The glorified ANZAC Legend celebrated annually by this country overlooks the negative aspects and the damage that WWI inflicted on all concerned. The misdemeanors of war and its aftermath had devastating effects on those who supported the soldiers and the sliders themselves who often lost their support to the war and faith in their leaders. The ANZAC legend is one of great courage and unshakeable spirit, and it continues to help being a young nation together in celebration.

From the 1970’s Australians have been viewed as bush people as they were seeming as heroic and brave. Never the less, internationally, Australians have been showcased as vulgar, racist that have strong pride for their country. Consequently, Australia has also been viewed as an alcoholic nation as companies continuously push the stereotype to market their products. In turn, Australian’s collective identity is made up of multiple other stereotypes that have been fed into. Despite being incorrectly portrayed; the Australian identity has a positive effect on Australian culture. Not only does it bring commercial value, it brings personal identity in the country making it truly unique to

The canon of Australian Poetry, despite the so called migration of Australians to an international mindset, as postulated by John Kinsella a novelist, poet and editor, is even more relevant today in our contemporary society. Especially so is the importance of Aboriginal poetry, as it articulates the impact that the “men of a different hue”, who first appeared 228 years ago, has had on their and culture.