For some, Australia Day is all about barbecues and backyard cricket, but for others, 26 January is a day of mourning.
Last year, the Australia Talks National Survey 2021 revealed a majority of people now believe Australia Day should not be celebrated on January 26, given the historical significance of the date for Indigenous nations.
In 2019, 43 per cent of respondents were in favour of seeing a shift to the date, and in 2021 that went up to 55 per cent.
Despite the overwhelming support for a date change and decades of protests stating there’s ’No pride in genocide’, the date remains the same.
Kabi Kabi family elder and Biral Tours owner, Tais Muckan, said for many First Nations people, the date is seen as the Invasion Day.
“What we have to do is work together to come up with a suitable date, otherwise we’ll never become a nation as a whole,“ he said.
“It will be always arguing and disputing over something that is major to some and minor to others.
“There’s a lot of Second Nation people now that are starting to support the First Nation people in agreeing that the day should be changed.
“There needs to be a consultation throughout not just our community but throughout the state and nation. We need to bring it to a place where we can agree on something.“
The ABC found that several local councils around the country have stopped celebrating Australia Day on January 26 – against the wishes of the Federal Government.
This year, Noosa Council has shown support for the Noosa Australia Day Festival, organised by Tewantin Noosa Lions Club, which is set to be celebrated along Noosa River on 26 January.
However, the only event Council conducts on Australia Day are citizenship ceremonies, which are well received including a Welcome to Country.
Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien said changing the date was a distraction from the very real job at hand.
“My focus is on addressing the entrenched disadvantage many Aboriginal Australians face in relation to health, education and employment. And my hope is that we can achieve that to a point where we all feel proud on the 26th of January,“ Mr O’Brien said.
Contemporary Indigenous artist Shauna Hill, whose paintings honour her Gubbi Gubbi and Githibul heritage, said for her family, Australia Day was a day of mourning.
“We don’t celebrate, we mourn the death of our ancestors,“ she said.
Ms Hill said she would prefer to see the date of Australia Day changed rather than abolished.
“I don’t really have a problem with Australia Day. I love my country. I’d just prefer it on a date that wasn’t the start of a genocide. But I do love the people of my country and I do love the place I live. So I’d like a date where we can all celebrate together.
“I’ve seen some people mention May 8, like mate, for the new date and I thought that was really cool.“
Ms Hill said she would like to see the community be more empathetic on Australia Day, taking into account the historical significance.
“Sometimes people are really ready to get into your face if you disagree with it, and it’s quite hurtful, especially when they give you all the reasons why you should be grateful,“ she said.
“I love my people, just like you love your people, and if this happened to you, it would hurt you too.
“I’d like to see people be a bit more sensitive and have a bit more care.“
