Just a few
thoughts
·
There was no actual country called Australia, when
the colony of New South Wales was established.
Before the invasion and
colonisation of the continent it was known as New Holland and later Terra
Australis. The colonial empire declared it to be Terra Nullius! Is that what we
are celebrating – the empty land?
It wasn’t until 1901 that the
Commonwealth of Australia was officially named.
·
Officially, the public holiday celebrating
Australia Day on 26 January was only agreed upon by all States and Territories
in 1994.
·
I am reading a novel, The
Yield by Tara June Winch. It is a multiple award winning story of peoples
and cultures dispossessed during colonisation. But it is , in spite of the
horrifying elements, a tale about courageous and powerful reclaiming of destroyed
identity.
·
As much as our society would like Australia Day
to be a celebration of the best of multiple cultures, it is just a denial of
historical truths to do so on January 26.
Reflection
ü An
Australian Indigenous Prayer Service was held last night. You can watch it
here
ü Imprisoned
by history's myths -- Andrew Hamilton
ü Listening
essential for dialogue: Pope
ü Voice
to Parliament design report still doesn’t meet international human rights
standards
Musical
Reflection
¯ Treaty
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