Australia Day January 30, 2010
Posted by bohdan.warchomij in : Australian photographers , trackbackAustralia Day (previously known as Anniversary Day, Foundation Day and ANA Day ), and also referred to as Invasion Day by several groups within Australian society, is the official celebration of Australian nationality. Celebrated annually on 26 January, the day ostensibly commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788, the hoisting of the British flag there, and the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia. It is of course read in different ways by different sections of the community and an increasing sense of national pride has caused conflict and tension amongst Australians and indigenous people and newly arrived migrants.
Victorian youth mental health expert Professor Patrick McGorry
- Professor Patrick McGorry Australian of the Year 2010
has been named Australian of the Year for 2010. Professor McGorry was presented with the award by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and National Australia Day Council Chairman Adam Gilchrist, on the lawns of Parliament House.
Although it was not known as Australia Day until over a century later, records of celebrations on 26 January date back to 1808, with Governor Lachlan McQuarie having held the first official celebration of the formation of New South Wales in 1818.
Australia Day is seen as controversial by some Australians, who see it as a celebration of the destruction of Indigenous culture by colonialism. There have been significant protests from and on behalf of the Indigenous community, including, since 1988, “Invasion Day” protests. In light of these concerns, proposals to change the date of Australia Day have been made. As the date also marks the anniversary of the Rum Rebellion in 1808, Australia Day may be viewed as a commemoration of the only military coup in Australian history.
- The DAMN’s at Perth Fireworks celebrate Australia Day 2010 Photo Bohdan Warchomij
Comments»
no comments yet - be the first?