The observance of Australia Day as the 26th of January has differing connotations for sectors of our nation. The Indigenous people look upon it as invasion day. Others, more particularly Irish, see it as the commencement of political exile to the southern hemisphere for many of its compatriots fighting for Irish independence. Others see it as the arrival of England’s first fleet containing the first contingent of convicts to be expelled from their homeland, in most cases forever.

Although descendents of these first arrivals, such as myself, may, after long years of guarded reserve, now find it fashionable to be a descendent of a first fleeter, and the Irish may look upon the later emigration to Australia of some of its famine ravished populace as a saving grace, nevertheless, the first arrivals then, and for many years thereafter, were subjected to the most horrific circumstances imaginable.

My essay relates to the suitability of such a day as a day for celebration or indeed, national pride. Given that we now consider ourselves a truly cosmopolitan nation, together with the objections to the 26th of January by our first Australians, my essay is promoted to provide thought for revision.  

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