'Australia Day' celebrations moved in one city, sparking debate on the date
Australia Day, the country's national holiday on Jan. 26 every year, has been a contentious event to celebrate from the beginning.
It marks the day in which the first European settlers arrived in Australia in 1788, but is a day of mourning for many Indigenous people. It is often referred to as Invasion Day or Survival Day due to the high number of Indigenous deaths and cultural suffering following British colonisation.
It's why the City of Fremantle in Western Australia have moved the occasion on Jan. 28, two days after the official holiday. The city's council said "One Day in Fremantle," which is what the event is called, is a "culturally-inclusive alternative to traditional" celebrations.
You May Also Like
"This family-friendly event will contribute to the nationwide conversation on celebrating our country and its people. Fremantle is offering Australians another day to celebrate – together," Fremantle Mayor Dr. Brad Pettitt said in a statement online.
In January, the city's council voted to end Australia Day fireworks in 2017 so that it could do something more "culturally appropriate." Now it's gone one further, something that many people are pleased about.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
But the date change hasn't impressed all. Dr Robert Isaacs, a Billumum Noongar elder and West Australian of the Year, has lambasted the move.
"It's not in line with community attitudes," he told NITV. "I strongly condemn them for this whole thing ... Australia Day is Australia Day."
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
It's worth noting that Australia Day, as a national holiday, is arguably a contemporary creation. The day only been consistently celebrated around the country since 1988. In 1994, Australia Day officially became established.
While debate over celebrating on the date continues, on a national level, the holiday shows no signs of changing: "Let's stick with Australia Day on the 26th," Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told radio station 3AW on Friday morning.
But just for how long in other cities, we wonder.
