OPINION
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I have enjoyed attending many very enjoyable Australia Day events over many years and am pleased to see more people than ever are attending our Council run events, enjoying local BBQs and getting into the spirit of Australia Day.
I remember too that for many years until the late 1980s we celebrated Australia Day as a Monday public holiday.
I also did not understand why our state governments all agreed from 1994 to move the public holiday to January 26.
Unlike ANZAC Day where we recognise the Gallipoli landing, I have yet to attend an event on January 26 which celebrates the landing of the British First Fleet at Port Jackson to start a penal colony.
I can understand why aboriginal people might call this date 'Invasion Day'.
My point is that the date has never been important in defining what it means to be Australian.
I don't think it is worthwhile starting a pointless and divisive debate about choosing another date.
Australia Day works well in January - let's do away with arguing the date and gazette Australia Day for the last Monday in January.
Then we can all do the Australian thing and celebrate our national day with a long weekend every year.
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