Australia Day means different things to different people. For most of us, it is an opportunity to reflect on how Australia has evolved into a world country with a steadily growing population and think of what remains to be done in the years ahead. To some of our original Aboriginal citizens it is a day of sorrow. They regard our arrival in 1788 as "Invasion Day " and consider Australia their " lost land " !
Unfortunately, some Aboriginal activists chose to vent their spleen by conducting a racist graffiti attack on the place where Captain Cook landed and on the historic Captain Cook's cottage in Melbourne. It is not possible to turn back the clock and it is totally impossible to right the wrongs of the past - and we accept that our early settlers ran roughshod over the rights of those that preceded them.
The arrival of Europeans brought change to many other continents. The opening up of America to migration saw it's native people herded into reservations. The Spanish conquest of the entire continent of South America resulted in it's native people forced to adopt both the Spanish language and the Catholic religion. The Europeans had a huge advantage in that they had mastered the art of building wooden ships and using the wind to take them to far places - and their use of gun powder gave them a weapon far superior to the spear or arrow.
To all the native people of the world, they have the choice of two options. They can look back and resist the inevitable tide of history that brought an ever expanding world - or they can look forward to the opportunities that our fast developing society can deliver to them and their children.
Those who choose to look back and sullenly resent the presence of non Aborigines are destined to the misery of a life of protest. There is no going back to the life that existed 226 years ago. Change is constant and every living Australian has to cope with the relentless flow of new technology and lifestyle change. It is not possible to swim against that tide.
Fortunately, many Aboriginal people have accepted that the newcomers are here to stay and have grasped the opportunities they bring with them. Many have chosen to live in cities and adopt the lifestyle that pays the bills and creates personal wealth. Their educated children are making their mark in life and are an integral part of modern society.
This Australia Day seems to be an opportunity for decision. The graffiti rejecting integration between Aboriginal and non Aboriginal brings this subject to the fore. Aboriginal people need to decide whether they belong in the new Australia of today - or if they see their place as trying to return to a past that no longer exists.
Hopefully, that decision will be to join the vast multicultural Australia that is taking this country to new heights !
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