Australia day debate in Margaret River

Over the years the Mail has noticed that Australia Day celebrations in the Margaret River area have had little or no presence from Indigenous residents.

I don’t in any way think this was intentional, however just an indicator of what Australia Day means to different people.

National Greens leader Richard Di Natale has called on local governments to drive the conversation and change the date.

He made an important point that this decision needs to be driven from a grassroots level.

On the other side, former Labor leader Mark Latham has argued Indigenous people should shift their focus from seeing the day as one for mourning and instead think about the future.

Whether the date is changed or not, if the decision is made from the top it risks ignoring people’s opinions and feelings on the issue.

Augusta Margaret River shire president Pam Townshend said on local radio that the shire would have a ‘deep conversation’ with the community on the subject.

So we want to hear from you. 

What does Australia Day mean to you?

Will changing the date impact the way you celebrate the day?

Do you find it offensive that being Australian is celebrated on the same date that white people arrived on these shores and took it away from its first people?

Will changing the date help in the reconciliation process?

Reconciliation is an important issue to consider when talking about changing the date of Australia Day.

Like being acknowledged in the Australian Constitution, if changing the date of Australia helps in the healing process then it needs to be seriously considered.

I believe I am not in the position to decide either way.

I am a Caucasian female who has not suffered the same history as our Indigenous people. 

So who am I to sit here and say we can or cannot change it.

Now is the time to have your say. Email jemillah.dawson@fairfaxmedia.com.au

- Jemillah Dawson