January 26th 2025

[South of the Yarra]

We know

Good

 

[Skeppersap]

So, the knowledge is on Aboriginal communities who unbelievably in some communities are not provided with information in their local language, do not speak English, have limited information technology access, are not provided with education around it. There is nothing democratic about it. Get into some of the Aboriginal communities and see how it really works.

English is not taught at schools?

 

[MPMonkeys]

That probably would have worked a few years ago (like it did for many years before) but now the right and Murdoch have firmly dug their heels in over Jan 26th and made it a culture war. They’ll scream to high heaven if it’s moved.

Even if it went to plebiscite as a change to a permanent long weekend which would benefit most people the right would launch a scare campaign like they did with the voice that somehow changing the public holiday to a long weekend is bad or woke and a slippery slope to indigenous people stealing your house or something.

On the other hand opposition to the day grows and less people in the middle want to celebrate it. So now you have a shouting match and people in the middle tune out.

Murdoch lives in America. He would care more about Thanksgiving Day than Australia Day. This notion that he is barking orders to his minions over something that is irrelevant to his bottom line is just paranoid gibberish.

Labor are in government federally and in the majority of the states. If they can’t argue the case to move the date then that’s on them. Alternatively they know it’s not what the majority want. And that is how democracy works/

 

[Carn The Berries]

Murdoch lives in America. He would care more about Thanksgiving Day than Australia Day. This notion that he is barking orders to his minions over something that is irrelevant to his bottom line is just paranoid gibberish.

Labor are in government federally and in the majority of the states. If they can’t argue the case to move the date then that’s on them. Alternatively they know it’s not what the majority want. And that is how democracy works/

But that's the thing, it's not irrelevant. Outrage = engagement = eyeballs = $$$$

Confected anger is Murdoch's stock in trade in this country, and the USA for that matter.

 

[faible]

Murdoch lives in America. He would care more about Thanksgiving Day than Australia Day. This notion that he is barking orders to his minions over something that is irrelevant to his bottom line is just paranoid gibberish.

Labor are in government federally and in the majority of the states. If they can’t argue the case to move the date then that’s on them. Alternatively they know it’s not what the majority want. And that is how democracy works/

Murdoch set the editorial line long ago. It’s a furphy to suggest the editors aren’t working to his overarching world view, no one is arguing he’s specifically checking all the articles (any more).

It’s always people arguing the exact stuff you’re arguing, that seem to want to argue Murdoch himself has no impact on how his media outlets portray things, despite decades of evidence to the contrary.

You’ve fallen for it.

 

[South of the Yarra]

English is not taught at schools?

Schools? What schools? An enormous amount of remote Aboriginal people cannot speak English.

 

[campbell]

still a banger

love uncles getting their grove on.........

showing how mob respect .

 

[Skeppersap]

Schools? What schools? An enormous amount of remote Aboriginal people cannot speak English.

According to the 2011 census, less than 3% of indigenous speak English poorly or not at all.

Over 3% of Australians speak English poorly or not at all.

So the indigenous statistics are not dissimilar to society in general.

In fact, indigenous use of English has increased significantly in recent censuses. So the assertion that democracy is biased against indigenous due to rates of English spoken is just blatantly incorrect.

 

[South of the Yarra]

According to the 2011 census, less than 3% of indigenous speak English poorly or not at all.

Over 3% of Australians speak English poorly or not at all.

So the indigenous statistics are not dissimilar to society in general.

In fact, indigenous use of English has increased significantly in recent censuses. So the assertion that democracy is biased against indigenous due to rates of English spoken is just blatantly incorrect.

Census rofl Seriously. You have so much to learn about rural Aboriginal society.

 

[Skeppersap]

Census rofl Seriously. You have so much to learn about rural Aboriginal society.

Great response!!!!! Just ignore ABS statistics hey....i think this clearly demonstrates the misinformation you are trying to spread.

 

[South of the Yarra]

Great response!!!!! Just ignore ABS statistics hey....i think this clearly demonstrates the misinformation you are trying to spread.

I think this clearly shows you have no idea about the intricacies of Aboriginal communities. None at all.

 

[schneebly111]

Which I would be one. But what becomes of jan 26?? National day of shame and mourning? My stance is that Jan 26 becomes a day of reflection not too dissimilar to ANZAC Day. No one can change the past but we can acknowledge and move forward.

January 26 is already like April 25

Both days should be about quiet reflection, now they’re just opportunities for nationalist piss ups and hate directed at minority groups.

And just like April 25 (less than 2% of the population attends services) Jan 26 has really declined in popularity.

 

[MPMonkeys]

January 26 is already like April 25

Both days should be about quiet reflection, now they’re just opportunities for nationalist piss ups and hate directed at minority groups.

And just like April 25 (less than 2% of the population attends services) Jan 26 has really declined in popularity.

Every public holiday the world over (with the exception of Islam majority countries) uses them as an excuse for a ‘piss up.

And what’s with this ‘quiet reflection’ rubbish? What does that even mean?

 

[schneebly111]

Every public holiday the world over (with the exception of Islam majority countries) uses them as an excuse for a ‘piss up.

And what’s with this ‘quiet reflection’ rubbish? What does that even mean?

You’d actually be surprised in a lot of countries that the national day exists to celebrate the achievements of people and a country, not a fake symbolism to another country and wanton violence and alcoholism.

It is a known fact that excessive alcohol consumption and violence is a problem on the 26th (or at least was when the day was more popular).

Those who still deck themselves out in the Union Jack flag and get pissed on the 26th really need to educate themselves on the day. I’ll post this video from last year as evidence:



The amount of facts the “patriots” in the second half of the video get wrong is astounding.

“the day is about when we got our independence from the UK”

“It’s the day Australia became Australia”

“Australia Day has always been January 26th”

And I mean sorry to get personal but if those deadshits are the type of people still celebrating Australia Day then F the day to high heaven. No surprise it was those neanderthals who rioted at seeing non whites on “their” beach.

 

[peetoo]

This ‘tradition’ has only been a national holiday since the nineties

 

[MPMonkeys]

You’d actually be surprised in a lot of countries that the national day exists to celebrate the achievements of people and a country, not a fake symbolism to another country and wanton violence and alcoholism.

It is a known fact that excessive alcohol consumption and violence is a problem on the 26th (or at least was when the day was more popular).

Those who still deck themselves out in the Union Jack flag and get pissed on the 26th really need to educate themselves on the day. I’ll post this video from last year as evidence:



The amount of facts the “patriots” in the second half of the video get wrong is astounding.

“the day is about when we got our independence from the UK”

“It’s the day Australia became Australia”

“Australia Day has always been January 26th”

And I mean sorry to get personal but if those deadshits are the type of people still celebrating Australia Day then F the day to high heaven. No surprise it was those neanderthals who rioted at seeing non whites on “their” beach.

It is not a known 'fact' at all. Every public holiday has its issues in this space. Melbourne Cup day for example would easily eclipse Australia Day in the drinking and violence stakes. As would Grand Final eve I imagine and the Monday after the NRL grand final in NSW.

Youtube clips and X posts mean nothing to me I'm afraid. They are just one persons opinions at the end of the day.

If alcohol and violence are your chief concern, then maybe we should ban all public holidays or revert to a 6 day or 7 day working week. Or ban the sale of alcohol on public holidays and weekends. Maybe close all pubs.

 

[Skeppersap]

This ‘tradition’ has only been a national holiday since the nineties

This is selective story telling, as per usual from activists.....

The 26th January has been a day is significance for much longer than that. This was taken from another forum:

In the very early years of the nineteenth century, this was a self appointed day by emancipists to celebrate (perhaps strangely) the country that they were forced to as prisoners in slavery, but which for most of them, was a route to prosperity and freedom:

"Referred to as First Landing Day and Foundation Day, the earliest references to celebrating January 26 were in almanacs and the Sydney Gazette dating around 1804. In Sydney, celebratory drinking, and anniversary dinners later became customary, before Governor Macquarie acknowledged the day officially as a public holiday on the thirtieth anniversary in 1818." (Paraphrased from the former Australia Day website, from which this history page was removed about five years ago. https://web.archive.org/web/2020042...traliaday.org.au/about-australia-day/history/).

It became an annual public holiday in NSW from the half century of founding in 1838. At that stage NSW covered the entire eastern mainland, the other colonies being Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.

In 1888, all the colonies celebrated 26 January as the centenary of foundation.

Then in 1930, the Australian Natives Association, who had been since their foundation in 1871 campaigners for Federation, started a movement in Victoria for January 26 being a national day called Australia Day. Within five years, all states had adopted the holiday. However, the day remained a community led event, with state based committees running the celebrations, with the ANA prompting in 1946 what became the Australia Day Council.

 

[peetoo]

This is selective story telling, as per usual from activists.....

The 26th January has been a day is significance for much longer than that. This was taken from another forum:

In the very early years of the nineteenth century, this was a self appointed day by emancipists to celebrate (perhaps strangely) the country that they were forced to as prisoners in slavery, but which for most of them, was a route to prosperity and freedom:

"Referred to as First Landing Day and Foundation Day, the earliest references to celebrating January 26 were in almanacs and the Sydney Gazette dating around 1804. In Sydney, celebratory drinking, and anniversary dinners later became customary, before Governor Macquarie acknowledged the day officially as a public holiday on the thirtieth anniversary in 1818." (Paraphrased from the former Australia Day website, from which this history page was removed about five years ago. https://web.archive.org/web/2020042...traliaday.org.au/about-australia-day/history/).

It became an annual public holiday in NSW from the half century of founding in 1838. At that stage NSW covered the entire eastern mainland, the other colonies being Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia.

In 1888, all the colonies celebrated 26 January as the centenary of foundation.

Then in 1930, the Australian Natives Association, who had been since their foundation in 1871 campaigners for Federation, started a movement in Victoria for January 26 being a national day called Australia Day. Within five years, all states had adopted the holiday. However, the day remained a community led event, with state based committees running the celebrations, with the ANA prompting in 1946 what became the Australia Day Council.

You seem to be an expert on ‘selective’ the link you posted confirms exactly what I put refer 1988 and 1994

 

[Skeppersap]

You seem to be an expert on ‘selective’ the link you posted confirms exactly what I put refer 1988 and 1994

Yes.... It is part of a much longer history of January 26..... Hence the reference to selective, deliberately not telling the whole story.

 

[peetoo]

Yes.... It is part of a much longer history of January 26..... Hence the reference to selective, deliberately not telling the whole story.

Agreed, but you did leave out the bit which supported the simple line I gave.

And I’m not activist either just bemused at the annual set to over Australia Day…which now hit a new low with the liberals teeing off before even Christmas is over

 

[schneebly111]

It is not a known 'fact' at all. Every public holiday has its issues in this space. Melbourne Cup day for example would easily eclipse Australia Day in the drinking and violence stakes. As would Grand Final eve I imagine and the Monday after the NRL grand final in NSW.

No I doubt those days would have eclipsed Jan 26 at its peak. Paramedics reported it was their worst day of the year for drunkenness and assaults. It’s on summer and you’ve got bogans who drink from 11am to the early evening, and as the previous video confirmed usually of the “bogan” type so more prone to a punch on

Youtube clips and X posts mean nothing to me I'm afraid. They are just one persons opinions at the end of the day.

That’s pretty much the internet for you

If alcohol and violence are your chief concern, then maybe we should ban all public holidays or revert to a 6 day or 7 day working week. Or ban the sale of alcohol on public holidays and weekends. Maybe close all pubs.

I hear the new generation apparently aren’t as big drinkers as previous ones. I wonder if seeing the violent piss ups around Jan 26 growing up had a factor to play there?

 

[schneebly111]

This is selective story telling, as per usual from activists.....

The 26th January has been a day is significance for much longer than that.

It was significant to those who wanted to see Australia as a British colony, but don’t forget the day was held in July and August in the 1910s and 20s until the influence of NSW pushed the day to Jan 26 in commemoration of their founding. And the 1994 public holiday change.

But I’m more interested in how society viewed the day up until some years ago. My parent’s generation have told me in the 70s and 80s it was always the “January Long Weekend” and it was only after the bicentennial and Howard that the nationalistic flag waving started.

Australian Natives Association

Yeah these guys were racist pricks who were the impetus behind the White Australia Policy:

Australian Natives' Association - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Basically a more polite version of the KKK. If you use them in your argument to keep the national holiday on Jan 26 then you lose

 

[MPMonkeys]

It was significant to those who wanted to see Australia as a British colony, but don’t forget the day was held in July and August in the 1910s and 20s until the influence of NSW pushed the day to Jan 26 in commemoration of their founding. And the 1994 public holiday change.

But I’m more interested in how society viewed the day up until some years ago. My parent’s generation have told me in the 70s and 80s it was always the “January Long Weekend” and it was only after the bicentennial and Howard that the nationalistic flag waving started

Your parents are more or less correct. Seems to have changed around the time we won the America's Cup when pride in the country was at its highest.

But honestly the amount of 'flag waving' that you seem to have an issue with, is small potatoes compared to almost every other country on the planet.

 

[MPMonkeys]

I hear the new generation apparently aren’t as big drinkers as previous ones. I wonder if seeing the violent piss ups around Jan 26 growing up had a factor to play there?

Its just the cost I think.
You go out with 4 mates and buy 2 rounds of drinks each you're up for $100. And thats only beer. Young people probably drink spirits over beers so the cost would be even greater.

 

[schneebly111]

Your parents are more or less correct. Seems to have changed around the time we won the America's Cup when pride in the country was at its highest.

Under the 83-96 Labor government I think we were moving towards a truly Australian culture with uniquely Australian symbolism.

Remember - the anthem was only changed with the Hawke government in 1984. The Australia Act severing UK legal and parliamentary control over Australia in 1986. The first talk of a new flag started then too, and a push for Republicanism. I think had Keating been able to remain for a few terms more he would’ve succeeded with a Republic, new flag and then a new national day because he wanted a uniquely Australian identity moulded by our contemporary outlook and position in Asia.

It was Howard who brought back the “Australia is just the nation of British people on this land ever loyal to the crown”.

But honestly the amount of 'flag waving' that you seem to have an issue with, is small potatoes compared to almost every other country on the planet.

Yeah having travelled extensively Australians certainly show their flags less - because it looks f**king stupid with a foreign flag occupying 25% of it.