It is important for nations to set aside a day of the year on which to celebrate the qualities that make the nation unique: the things that set it aside from other places, honour its people and the history that unites those people.
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Typically, nations honour a date when the nation became independent from a colonial power; when it federated under a single flag; a single unifying historic occasion; or the day of a saint or historic figure. Among all the UN countries, Australia alone chooses as its national day of celebration the date when the country and its inhabitants were annexed by a colonial power.
This date has a relatively short history: it is only since 1935 that Australia Day has been held on January 26, and only since 1994 that it has been consistently observed as a public holiday in all states and territories.
Just as important as having a national day of celebration, is to acknowledge that the current date is not inclusive of all Australians and for Indigenous Australians, it is a reminder of the social injustice and inequalities to which their people have been subjected for 230 years. While there has been progress in reconciliation over the past couple of decades, the anniversary of the colonial annexation remains an open wound in our society. While there is an open wound surrounding a particular date, that date cannot be inclusive of all Australians.
The issue we have, of course, is the choice of an alternative. Federation occurred on January 1, and while the date of federation is a appropriate anniversary to celebrate, a national day needs to be on its own and not clashing with another recognised holiday.
Reconciliation Day (May 27) or Harmony Day (March 21) have been suggested as possible alternatives, representing our cultural diversity as a nation. There has also been a suggestion of May 8 – as in ‘Maaate Day’ – which, while a little corny, is nonetheless inclusive.
New Zealand’s national day, Waitangi Day, is the anniversary of day on which the treaty was signed between the British government and the Maori people. It is no less controversial in New Zealand than January 26 is here, as it is believed that the terms of the treaty, as explained to the Maori elders, were not the terms written on the treaty itself. Colonial history is complex and brings a raft of social problems.
Regardless of how you mark January 26, it is important to remember that for many, it is not a celebration but a commemoration.
– Robin Tennant-Wood
