Australia Day, Invasion Day, or Just Another Day Off From Work?

If you read the blurb and listen to the politicians, today, "we come together as a nation to celebrate what's great about Australia and being Australian. It's the day to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of in our great nation. It's the day for us to re-commit to making Australia an even better place for the future".

I can't get excited about this day at all. Knowing our history, and significance of this actual date January 26th (On January 26, 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip took formal possession of the colony of New South Wales and became its first Governor), and that the first official celebrations were held in 1818 to mark the 30th anniversary of white settlement, I refuse to be a part of this - and call me un-Australian if you will.

Until we as a nation observe the inequities, accept that this land was not terra nullius, apologise to the Aboriginal peoples, and honestly and authentically respect and integrate indigenous culture and law into modern Australian culture, and finally choose a new date to celebrate together as a whole nation, how can we continue to stick our heads in the sand, light fireworks, award actors to UN Ambassador positions and not find the whole thing vile, embarrassing & totally repugnant.