January 26th marks the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788 and the beginning of British colonisation in Australia. To celebrate this day as ‘Australia Day’ is to celebrate violence, dispossession, and the loss of culture experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples — a history that continues to impact communities today. For many First Nations people, this date is a day of mourning rather than celebration.
By choosing a different date, we can have a national celebration that respects our history and includes all Australians, creating pride rather than pain. Writing to your MP is a simple but powerful way to support this change.
[Date]
[MP’s Name]
[Parliamentary Office Address]
Dear [MP’s Name],
I am writing as a concerned member of our community and a participant in the Not a Date to Celebrate campaign led by Clothing The Gaps, to express my concern about the current celebration of January 26 as Australia’s national day.
Many people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, experience this date as a day of mourning rather than celebration.
I believe our national observances should reflect respect, inclusivity, and truth-telling. Continuing to celebrate January 26 as a national holiday does not align with these values and contributes to ongoing pain and division.
I urge you to acknowledge the impact of January 26 and to support efforts to move the national day to a date that all Australians can genuinely celebrate.
Thank you for taking the time to consider my perspective. I hope you will advocate for a national day that truly represents all Australians.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Contact Information]
