We are so privileged to enjoy the gum and plane trees, and local bird life, as the current flows on. I noticed a few A3 signs taped to trees and tables, stating the obvious: “Always was, always will be Aboriginal land”, and one requesting, “Change the date”. I was reminded that it is the day that the government chooses to celebrate Australia.

Surely anyone working for our city council, even if they are old enough to have been educated when the school syllabus erased recognition of the violence inherent in settling this land, must be at least peripherally aware that we share the country with Aboriginal owners?

I was a bit surprised, and dismayed, that such an innocuous yet important voice should be erased and silenced by the events team, who arrived at 7:30am, removing the signs in preparation for the day’s events.  Did the city workers deem the statements offensive or illegal?

I wonder if it was driven by a desire to molly-coddle the citizenry who would imminently arrive to trash our gorgeous river picnic grounds: an attempt to impose ignorance on the celebrants? To pretend that we live with no pain in this world? Surely everyone has been to a birthday or wedding celebration, and found joy in the day, whilst holding another grief close in their hearts, such as a dying relative or friend? Does anyone live in a world with no duality?  

It wasn’t as if people were chaining themselves to the trees to prevent the celebrations; it was a kindly reminder of where we live, and who we share this land with. I wonder why we (I pay rates, so I’m complicit) remove such signs, on a day that is about Australia?

Once again we must ponder over the Shakespearian/Gospelesque scribblings of Peter MacLeod-Miller. This time, as far as I can translate, he somehow imbibes about a date for Australia Day.

Given he conducts his business from a tax-free, prominent parcel of land on this very space on Earth, maybe he can qualify a couple of things for me. December 25? There is no historical record of a particular event occurring on that date, nor might I add do many of the following proceedings exist, and given that the New Roman Calendar was calculated from 45BC but, omits the Year ‘0’.

Exactly what year are we in? Accordingly in 1788 the ”First Fleet” spotted/arrived/stepped foot in what was to become ‘Australia’ on January 26. In which time zone? Given that time zones were only implemented in the 1850s that would now more likely be January 25? Two-thousand years versus 150 years.

The date is irrelevant. It is merely a focal point for excuse. Those folk who were here before the ships, are indeed, the lucky ones more than I can imagine. They had no need for a calendar.

I've been reading about people being recognised and given awards for their services, but there's someone who I think deserves recognition more than most – Brendan Farrell and the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners.