Celebrating what's great

January 26 is a day to ‘celebrate what’s great’ – and as Australians we certainly have much to celebrate, be proud of, and be thankful for.

Australia Day is also a day to reflect on who we are as Australians - on what it means to be Australian.

For many of us, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures, arts and traditions are a unique and significant part of Australia’s identity.

What does ‘Australia Day’ feel like for the more than half a million Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians?

Their place in the history of our country is unrecognised in our founding document – the Australian Constitution. Instead, the Constitution talks of an Australia that has existed only for the past 240 years. Does this reflect who we are as Australians in 2012?

We may be given the chance to change this in 2013 – are we ready for that?

The 26th of January marks the arrival of the First Fleet of 11 convict ships from Great Britain into Sydney Cove in 1788, and the raising of the Union Jack. This is an important date in Australia’s history. But it’s not the beginning of our story.

Tomorrow many Victorian Aboriginal people will celebrate Survival Day. 

Forty years ago, on January 26th 1972, the Aboriginal Tent Embassy was established on the lawns of Parliament House in Canberra. The Tent Embassy symbolises Aboriginal people as refugees in their own country – dispossessed of their land and written out of the nations’ history. It is still there today, making it among the longest running political protests in history.

Today Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are carrying on stories and traditions that have been practised in this country for 40,000 years.

This is a part of our nation’s story to be proud of.

Reconciliation Victoria and ANTaR Victoria invite all Victorians to join in the conversation about our nation’s identity, and to take a moment tomorrow to recognise the significant place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our nation’s story.

You’re welcome to join Victoria’s Aboriginal community and non-Aboriginal supporters tomorrow at the Share the Spirit Festival in Treasury Gardens to celebrate Survival Day, 1pm – 7pm. You can show your support for the 40th Anniversary of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy as part of the mini-embassy at the Festival – bring your tent, umbrella or flag (though no pegs please!).

Media contacts:
Erin McKinnon, Reconciliation Victoria – M: 0419 943 520
Dr Peter Lewis, ANTaR Vic – M: 0400 586 617