Happy Australia Day/Invasion Day
@RawBill1 (8531)
Gold Coast, Australia
January 25, 2010 4:06pm CST
Today January 26th is Australia Day which commemorates the date back in 1788 when the First Fleet of white Europeans first landed on this great piece of land and claimed it as their own. It is a day of much partying and celebrating our great nation. 
It is also a day of mourning for the Aboriginal community who see it as a day which marks the death of a way of life that they had enjoyed for 40,000 years! Their freedom was shattered when the British arrived, bringing with them death by gun and by disease. Diseases spread rapidly through Aboriginal communities after the English had arrived. Many were dying in inland communities from European diseases before they had even seen a white person! 
These are both interpretations of this day, but whatever you believe, whatever your background, try to be understanding to others who are different and enjoy this great nation for what it is. It is a paradise for all of us who are lucky enough to live here, so lets make the most out of living, forget the past grievances and enjoy Australia Day in Peace! 
It is also a day of mourning for the Aboriginal community who see it as a day which marks the death of a way of life that they had enjoyed for 40,000 years! Their freedom was shattered when the British arrived, bringing with them death by gun and by disease. Diseases spread rapidly through Aboriginal communities after the English had arrived. Many were dying in inland communities from European diseases before they had even seen a white person!
These are both interpretations of this day, but whatever you believe, whatever your background, try to be understanding to others who are different and enjoy this great nation for what it is. It is a paradise for all of us who are lucky enough to live here, so lets make the most out of living, forget the past grievances and enjoy Australia Day in Peace! 1 person likes this
3 responses
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
25 Jan 10
Wow, there are so many people that educate me here on this wonderful site...and you are one of them my friend! I had no idea what Australia Day was until you explained it (and very well too I might add) so have fun. God, I wish I was there! It's such a shame about the Aborigines (we British have ridden rough-shod over many peoples in our time, it's shameful) but what do they do on Invasion Day? I don't suppose they celebrate anything. Still wish I was there though. How hot is it today?
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
26 Jan 10
Thanks for your comments, myLot certainly is a great place to learn things about cultures and history from all over the planet.
Yeah, the British Empire expanded to all sorts of regions of the world, but they were not the only people in history to do that. Britain itself has been taken over by many different empires over the centuries as well.
It is HOT today, 35 degrees Celsius here right now in my part of the world! Just got home from the beach where it was very crowded!
Yeah, the British Empire expanded to all sorts of regions of the world, but they were not the only people in history to do that. Britain itself has been taken over by many different empires over the centuries as well.
It is HOT today, 35 degrees Celsius here right now in my part of the world! Just got home from the beach where it was very crowded!@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
26 Jan 10
Some Aboriginals celebrate Australia Day, but there are others who have protests each year. You can read more about the day here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_Day#Invasion_Day
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
26 Jan 10
Are you in that part of Australia where there's a major heatwave going on? I saw people actually sleeping on the beach as opposed to their beds when it was shown on the news a few days ago. How about big insects, do you get those? That was an interesting link you put up, thanks.
@cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
25 Jan 10
Hi RawBill. Yes, early settlement days in Australia were VERY harsh - harsh to ALL the people here: those who came willingly, those who came as convicts and those who were already here. Regarding the latter, I do wonder what would have been their fate - and their on-going lifestyle - had another nation claimed this land.
The aboriginal community of that day, in that area, were treated badly, mostly out of fear, but that is no excuse. The aboriginal community of today is well looked after, with more money per person spent on them than on white Australians. Those who prefer to live their cultural way of life are free to do so, while those who prefer city life, higher education and all the benefits are free to do that. Yes, there are difficulties, but there are also difficulties for ALL people here and everywhere.
I agree with you that Australia IS a paradise. It is well called "The Lucky Country". It is a multi-cultural country where I sincerely trust all will live together in harmony in this great island nation I call home.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
26 Jan 10
Hi Cloudwatcher. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about Australia on this special day. It was a very harsh place to live in those days and in some places it still is. Yep, the Aboriginals weren't the only ones upset by the settlers, many of the settlers were not exactly here of their own choice! There is no doubt that if the British did not settle Australia when they did, it would have been only a short time before another nation did. It was amazing that it was not taken earlier by the Dutch or the Portuguese. We can only guess how the country would be today if they had settled instead of the British. We would not be the cricketing force that we are if the Portuguese had settled! 
It was a very harsh place to live in those days and in some places it still is. Yep, the Aboriginals weren't the only ones upset by the settlers, many of the settlers were not exactly here of their own choice! There is no doubt that if the British did not settle Australia when they did, it would have been only a short time before another nation did. It was amazing that it was not taken earlier by the Dutch or the Portuguese. We can only guess how the country would be today if they had settled instead of the British. We would not be the cricketing force that we are if the Portuguese had settled! @cloudwatcher (6861)
• Australia
26 Jan 10
The Dutch and Portuguese probably saw us as a barren, uninhabitable land, as did Cook, but the English are made of sterner stuff. Can you imagine those first voyages? It is a wonder anyone survived! If the Dutch had settled here the outcome might not have been much different, but I can think of some nations where any existing population would not have had much chance. I think this possibility was faced in the last World War.
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
26 Jan 10
You are right, the Dutch and Portuguese mainly discovered the west and south of the country and perhaps did not make it far enough around to discover the lush green East Coast. Captain Cook did and the rest is history. It certainly would have been a tough journey over here.Months cramped on a boat with people dying from diseases all around.
Glad that we have air-conditioned flights with movies these days!
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
27 Jan 10
Here in Perth, Australia Day is a big deal. Hundreds of thousands people gather on the fore shore for the Australia Day Sky Show which is absolutely amazing and it all about celebration here; no body ever mentions the other side to this special day and I’m glad you did to remind us to appreciate what all cultures have had to endure and I agree that understanding, tolerance and forgiveness are paramount. Australia is one of the best places in the world as far as I’m concerned!
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
28 Jan 10
It certainly is great!
That sounds like fun over there. We did not have anything like that here on the Gold Coast that I am aware of. Everyone here flocks to the beaches and they have big parties all day with Barbecues, drinking, swimming and boating.
I went to the beach with my kids for a swim, the weather was absolutely perfect. An ideal day for a celebration! 
That sounds like fun over there. We did not have anything like that here on the Gold Coast that I am aware of. Everyone here flocks to the beaches and they have big parties all day with Barbecues, drinking, swimming and boating.
I went to the beach with my kids for a swim, the weather was absolutely perfect. An ideal day for a celebration! 1 person likes this
