Change Australia Day
Why can't Australia Day be changed to Australia weekend - third weekend in January every year is long weekend. Sometimes the date will fall, but it's a compromise and means the broader community can still celebrate being Australian without offence and with good weather but also take the time to remember as well.
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Michelle East, St Leonards
Want to celebrate
John Coulson (Letters, The Examiner, January 24), of course we want to celebrate Australia. We also want to recognise our First Nations people and their existence here for 60,000 years and counting - before white settlement.
The two can be reconciled if we can acknowledge white settlement was not a harmonious occupation of an unoccupied country. That in lying to ourselves for more than 200 years we marginalised and discriminated against our first people. We killed and raped them. We took their land. Not "we" as in present day non-Indigenous people, but our white ancestors whom we uphold and celebrate on January 26.
Reconciliation will bring huge benefits for all Australians - so we can celebrate both - our lineage and the struggles and triumphs of our country since 1788 and likewise the lineage, struggles and triumphs of our first people. To deny the past is to passively endorse the discrimination and marginalisation of the past 230 years. It's time for a change. First Fleet Day will never go away. Never. We can begin real change by remembering this day - but not as Australia Day.
Tony Newport, Hillwood.
Should celebrate
What's wrong with the people of this country, especially Cricket Australia with its decision relating to playing a cricket match on Australia Day.
We live in arguably the best country in the world and we don't respect or celebrate our unique position and just think it's another public holiday. You don't realise how good Tasmania is until you travel to the mainland or overseas, we do little to acknowledge the country we live in and on Australia Day we should have parties, barbecues and organised celebrations for those who want to show what a great place we live.
Yes, we have sins of our past, but how long can you keep apologising for and trying to make up for the mistakes of history and just enjoy our great country the way we usually do. If you don't, other people overseas would love to take your place.
Anthony Galvin, Launceston
Margaret Court
Here we go again. The Margaret Court haters are out in force, outraged at Australia's greatest woman tennis player being awarded Australia Day's highest honour.
Court is condemned by her critics for standing by the Bible teachings on marriage, sexuality and gender - which she has every right to do. Twelve million Australians and 89 per cent of religious Australians identify as Christian.
Court's Bible-based beliefs have been described as being archaic but in fact they are timeless. God doesn't get things wrong - it's only human society that is ever changing its values to suit its desires at the time.
All power to you Margaret - an honour well deserved.
Ian Macpherson,Newstead.
