This post has not been vetted or endorsed by BuzzFeed's editorial staff. BuzzFeed Community is a place where anyone can create a post or quiz. Try making your own!

Posted on Jan 24, 2017

Far Better Alternative Days To Celebrate Australia Day

So, it seems fucking preposterous to me that we celebrate Australia day on the day where the “first” white fleet invaded the native land where indigenous people had been living peacefully on and as proud custodians of for over 60000 years. On January 26th, 1788 our forefathers came here and started one of the worst genocides the world has ever seen. This and other atrocities to the Aboriginal people continued from this date to hundreds of years later and even to this day. There is nothing to celebrate about what happened on that day. Don’t get me wrong, I love Australia. I love the laid-back Australian way of life, the Australian mateship and our beautiful land and beaches. And let’s be honest nothing makes me happier than beer, sausage sizzles and days where I don’t have to go into work. But recognising Australia history for what it is, there are so many better days in the year to celebrate our pride. I’ve listed my best picks below.

by Vanessa Tobias

Community Contributor

Browse links

Far Better Alternative Days To Celebrate Australia Day

1. May 8th. For Mate. It is literally the best and most obvious choice. Like, are we even Australian if this isn’t the date of our Australia Day? Come on Malco, make it happen, stat!

2. If for some absurd reason we don’t change it to May 8th what about January 1st, the day where the Federation of Australia was established? Makes sense amirite? Also, double public holidays for New Years Day and Australia Day. Yewww!

3. How about 26th of May, National Sorry Day. It’s currently an event bringing people together and healing for the stolen generations, their families, and communities. It would be nice if we all came together on this day to heal no matter what our race or background is.

4. 13th of August. This has no significance to Australia or the indigenous community whatsoever, but it is my birthday and I think it would be super rad for me and all my friends to have the day off work. My parties would be lit, just saying.

5. 13th of February. When in 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally apologised to the Stolen Generations. The Aboriginal community was deeply moved and it a was a significant step forward for reconcilement. Why not celebrate it further as Aus Day?

6. 20th March-What's more Australian and more hilarious than the fact our capital became our capital because Sydney and Melbourne were two stubborn kids refusing to compromise. Alas, Canberra was built and here we are. Lol. You guys.

7. 7 June 16, National Vegemite Day! Um, who cares that National Vegemite Day has only been happening for a year and the rest of the world are bewildered by our need to celebrate a condiment but crikey! What’s more Australia than vegemite!

8. 27th May- 1967 The day Indigenous people were finally allowed constitutional rights when Australians voted overwhelmingly to amend the constitution to include Aboriginal people in the census and allow the Commonwealth to create laws for them. Although it should never have taken that long.

9. Literally any other day than January 26th. Like just pick another one. Any day would be fine. There’s another 364 that would make a far better, far more culturally sensitive choice. Any date would do.

Far Better Alternative Days To Celebrate Australia Day

1. May 8th. For Mate. It is literally the best and most obvious choice. Like, are we even Australian if this isn’t the date of our Australia Day? Come on Malco, make it happen, stat!

2. If for some absurd reason we don’t change it to May 8th what about January 1st, the day where the Federation of Australia was established? Makes sense amirite? Also, double public holidays for New Years Day and Australia Day. Yewww!

3. How about 26th of May, National Sorry Day. It’s currently an event bringing people together and healing for the stolen generations, their families, and communities. It would be nice if we all came together on this day to heal no matter what our race or background is.

4. 13th of August. This has no significance to Australia or the indigenous community whatsoever, but it is my birthday and I think it would be super rad for me and all my friends to have the day off work. My parties would be lit, just saying.

5. 13th of February. When in 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally apologised to the Stolen Generations. The Aboriginal community was deeply moved and it a was a significant step forward for reconcilement. Why not celebrate it further as Aus Day?

6. 20th March-What's more Australian and more hilarious than the fact our capital became our capital because Sydney and Melbourne were two stubborn kids refusing to compromise. Alas, Canberra was built and here we are. Lol. You guys.

7. 7 June 16, National Vegemite Day! Um, who cares that National Vegemite Day has only been happening for a year and the rest of the world are bewildered by our need to celebrate a condiment but crikey! What’s more Australia than vegemite!

8. 27th May- 1967 The day Indigenous people were finally allowed constitutional rights when Australians voted overwhelmingly to amend the constitution to include Aboriginal people in the census and allow the Commonwealth to create laws for them. Although it should never have taken that long.

9. Literally any other day than January 26th. Like just pick another one. Any day would be fine. There’s another 364 that would make a far better, far more culturally sensitive choice. Any date would do.

Share This Article