Australian of the year

[BernieP]

G'Day All

Would like to humbly suggest the word Indigenous be used correctly, as I was born in Australia of good white convict stock I consider I am Indigenous to Australia. So if we are talking about aboriginal people lets call them that. And I didn't get the wooden spoon in the last contest to not use it.

Cheers
Bernie

[dazzler]

G'Day All

Would like to humbly suggest the word Indigenous be used correctly, as I was born in Australia of good white convict stock I consider I am Indigenous to Australia. So if we are talking about aboriginal people lets call them that. And I didn't get the wooden spoon in the last contest to not use it.

Cheers
Bernie

The term indigenous peoples can be used to describe any ethnic group of people who inhabit a geographic region with which they have the earliest known historical connection.

And that would probably be Mungo Man I would imagine

[Woodwould]

I can tell you, my relatives weren't to happy to be here on that date either, but they got over it. It was 200 years ago, not letting go of these things are what causes thing like the middle east and Yugoslavia

I come from a country where sectarian bloodshed has been going on since the early seventeenth century and still was when I left. Many dear and close friends were murdered there. It's a bit hard to forget such conflict and terrors when the culture around you lives and breathes it. Try getting over someone murdering one of your children in the name of religion/politics.

[Woodwould]

woodwould, if it hadn't been colonised by Australia, it would have been France, or perhaps Holland or Spain. They would have treated Aboriginal Australians far worse than anything that ever occurred under the British...

I don't disagree, but do we need to rub their noses in it every year? Imagined or real?

Aboriginal Australians should be eternally grateful that it was Britain, and not some other colonising power, which decided to assume possession of this continent.

Oh I'm sure they feel positively indebted to them.

[Woodwould]

...I was born in Australia of good white convict stock...

Isn't that a contradiction in terms?

[Woodwould]

Surely you are joking

Which bit did you find amusing?

[Jack E]

Australia's humanitarianism towards the country's indigenous peoples is a national shame and the cause of much derision abroad. I too think it's appalling that 'Australia Day' venerates the 1788 incursion of the First Fleet and all that followed.

Why not shift 'Australia Day' to commemorate an event everyone can be proud of… perhaps the anniversary of the day the Prime Minister said "Sorry".

Which bit did you find amusing?

All of it really but especially the bit where you said we should commemorate Dudd saying sorry (not on my behalf).

The whole point of people being upset about suggesting Australia day be moved is that it is grand standing to gain attention.

That is what Dudds apology was too and you want to commemorate that

How can a nation be proud of having a spineless leader who apologises on our behalf just to gain a small % of votes.

I am proud of the fact that Australia has grown to become a great country, that all began with settlement so I am proud of the first fleet arriving.

If you are not then perhaps you should book a flight somewhere else.

[Cruzi]

History cannot be changed however the future can.

If you choose to feel seperated or isolated by an event, there is nothing that can be done, however if you choose to become involved and participate, then you can gain some ownership of the event, rather than trying to spoil it for the majority.

[Woodwould]

The whole point of people being upset about suggesting Australia day be moved is that it is grand standing to gain attention.

Now I can't believe you're being serious!

That is what Dudds apology was too and you want to commemorate that

It has nothing to do with what I want, but what's good for the nation (both domestically and abroad) and in particular, the indigenous peoples.

How can a nation be proud of having a spineless leader who apologises on our behalf just to gain a small % of votes.

It's infamous crass Aussie sentiment like this that sets the country back decades and must be so insulting to Aboriginals.

I am proud of the fact that Australia has grown to become a great country, that all began with settlement so I am proud of the first fleet arriving.

If you are not then perhaps you should book a flight somewhere else.

The issue has nothing to do with me being proud (or otherwise) of Australia or whether I should sling my hook; it's about concilliation and moving forwards and to that end, the current Prime Minister, think what you will of him, has taken a tremendous humanitarian step by acknowledging the wrongs dealt to the country's indigenous inhabitants.

[Waldo]

Professor Mick Dodson (Australian of the year) has called for the date of Australia Day to be changed. This cr@p really really makes me mad. Can they change their minds and take it off him now?

I totally agree Corbs, 110%. Some people don't like Mondays, lets change it to another name or another day of the week while we're at it.

[Woodwould]

Some people don't like Mondays, lets change it to another name or another day of the week while we're at it.

Sounds like an excellent idea. How about moving it into Sunday's slot, calling it 'Aborigine Day', making it a public holiday and doing away with Sunday altogether, you know; just to give the change some significance.

[Lignin]

Bloody Hell, Woodie,you are a stirrer.No wonder the Black and Tans were after you!!
Me??Oirish QUAKER stock, so strictly neutral!

[Woodwould]

Bloody Hell, Woodie,you are a stirrer.No wonder the Black and Tans were after you!!
Me??Oirish QUAKER stock, so strictly neutral!

Black and Tans! You've got your religions and politics mixed up a bit.

BTW, I lived fairly close to the Quaker Meeting House at the Grange (founded in 1657 - three years after the formation of the Religious Society of Friends).

Incidently, I'm not a Quaker, but I am 'neutral' as you put it.

[damian]

Reconciliation is not about trying to punish Australians for something they had nothing to do with 200 years ago. Someone should remind the PC police of this.


Australia Day is about Australia and what it has become, its not a political football for someone to score points with.

Well said that person.

Then again the PC police and their like never let reality get in the way of having a rant..

[Howdya do that]

Reconciliation is not about trying to punish Australians for something they had nothing to do with 200 years ago. Someone should remind the PC police of this.


Australia Day is about Australia and what it has become, its not a political football for someone to score points with.

Just imagine iIf all these smart people, black, white & brindle spent as much time working on the future of our great country as they have worrying about the past.