Maley, Jacqueline
‘Needless debate masks true meaning of Australia Day‘, Sydney Morning Herald, 18 January 2014
On Australia Day, we should, by all means, celebrate our good fortune, the hiccup of fate that means we get to live in Australia rather than Somalia, whether we were born here or immigrated. But why would we be proud of that? The fact that we are Australian is dumb luck, just as it is to be born beautiful or athletic. The only exceptions are immigrants who worked hard to get here. Australian-ness is not an accomplishment in and of itself, but what we do with it can be.
Queries some elements of celebration of Australia Day and mentions Anzac Day also. Other meditations on Australia Day 2014 are by Anthony Mundine, Corinne Grant, Paul Daley, Sam de Brito, Mick Dodson, Terry Fewtrell, Michael Gordon, Simon Keller, Christopher Scanlon, David Stephens and John Menadue.
