By Luke Voogt
Geelong revellers have told activists to keep their hands off Australia Day after calls for a new date.
Locals expressed their support for the national day as thousands flocked to Rippleside Park and the waterfront to celebrate yesterday.
Max Ginley, whose wife Emma became a citizen in 2009, called on federal politicians to protect the date.
“There’s too much of this now,” he said.
“What’s Australia coming to? When are the politicians going to stand up for it?”
Marrianne Carrodus said Australia Day was about bringing people together. Her friend, Elle Cahill, was “getting sick” of calls to change the date.
Chantel King acknowledged that some Indigenous people considered 26 January “Invasion Day” but was happy for the national celebration’s date to remain unchanged
“It’s more about celebrating the good things about Australia today,” she said.
Ms King described an online campaign to change Australia Day to May 8 – because it sounds like ’mate’ – as “pretty cool”.
Local Indigenous woman Anette Xiberras said many Aboriginals used Australia Day to think of others who fought for their freedom.
“It wasn’t until 1967 we were actually recognised as Australian citizens,” she told the Indy last week.
“Today we’re still fighting to bridge the gap.
“When Australia Day first started Indigenous people used to throw wreaths in the bay to represent all the Indigenous people killed by European settlers.”
But Ms Xiberras did not consider Australia Day celebrations offensive.
“Two wrongs don’t make a right and let’s face it we all love a holiday but I’d rather see Australia Day celebrated during NAIDOC week.”
Geelong council administrator Peter Dorling acknowledged the Indigenous community at the council’s citizenship ceremony.
“We … empathise with their feelings about celebrating the beginning of Australia on a date that marks the colonisation of what was originally their land by another country.”
