Anthony Perrone, who migrated to Australia more than 20 years ago, believes the day should be celebrated and said he thoroughly enjoyed it.

“It’s a day our great country can come together and give thanks for providing a place where people from all nationalities can live in relative peace and harmony,” he said.

“In our own backyard we have an award-winning migrant museum centre – a reflection of Australia being that safe haven.”

However the counsellor at Trinity Anglican College also feels indigenous elders should have a special day of recognition.

“It is somewhat overdue given the enourmous impact their culture has had on our tiny planet,” Mr Perrone said.

“In this way we keep the significance of all nationalities on this continent … giving all people of Australia a beautiful compromise each of us can and should stand and live by.”

Mr Perrone believes a banner he created for the 2000 Olympic torch relay still carries relevant messages today of tolerance, respect and the ties that bind us.

Working in Alice Springs at the time, he produced a documentary with primary and secondary students that was showcased to 15,000 people at the torch arrival ceremony.

A performance by 400 students was set against the backdrop of a banner depicting three intertwined hands – white, yellow and brown – holding strings to Australian and Aboriginal flag balloons with a beautiful landscape.

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Mr Perrone said since he left Alice Springs in 2002, sadly the situations and standard of living for many indigenous people had not changed.

He pointed out many were living in “not better than third-world conditions”.

“We live on a tiny speck in the large expanse of the universe yet we are at odds on such trivial matters as cancelling or moving Australia Day in the scope of the many other horrifying events occurring nationally and globally,” he lamented.

“Many people would rather squabble over a day of the year than put action behind their words to lift the quality of lifestyles for many not so fortunate.”