Volume 39, Number 02
Features
Australia Day
Much more than just another public holiday!
by Alison Quinlivan
On January 26, Australia commemorates the day in 1788 when Captain Arthur Phillip took formal possession of the colony of New South Wales on behalf of England, and became its first Governor. There were eleven ships in the First Fleet that had transported around 1,500 men, women and children (about half of the total were convicts) from the other side of the world.
The first recorded celebrations occurred 30 years later and the famous Australian historian Manning Clarke notes that in 1808 the “anniversary of the foundation of the colony” was observed in the traditional manner with “drinking and merriment”. At least some things never change! The governor at the time, Lachlan Macquarie, officiated at a thirty-gun salute during the day, and a dinner ball at Government House that evening.
By 1888, a hundred years after the arrival of the first fleet, gold had been found and Australia's population had grown to nearly three million. Most capital cities proclaimed ‘Anniversary Day' a public holiday, and celebrations took place throughout the country. But it was not until 1994 that all the states and territories endorsed the celebration of Australia Day on the actual day, instead of the closest Monday.
To some Aboriginal Australians and others, there is no reason to celebrate the anniversary of the arrival of the British, and over the years protests have taken place to highlight the adverse impact that the settlers have had on indigenous culture.
Now Australia Day is marked by civic celebrations around the country, including the Order of Australia, and Australian of the Year awards for outstanding achievement. Citizenship ceremonies are also held, and it is a popular day for all manner of celebrations with barbecues and street parties being popular.
For my family, fireworks, cricket and the Triple J Hottest 100 are lasting memories—even after living away from Australia for ten years. In my hometown of Perth, the Skyshow fireworks attract about 500,000 people—more than a third of the city's population. In Tokyo we celebrate Australia Day with our Australian, Japanese, and other friends by attending the Australian Society Ball.
So on Australia Day, Australians come together as a nation to celebrate Australia and being Australian. It is a day to remember our past, enjoy the present and look confidently to our future.