Dates we can celebrate
WHEN Captain Cook claimed the entire east coast of Australia for Great Britain on August 22, 1770, around 50 European ships had already made landfall on its shores.
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European settlement commenced with the arrival of the First Fleet in Botany Bay on January 24, 1788, and the landing at Port Jackson on January 26. The country was obviously populated, so it is debatable whether “settlement” or “invasion” is the more appropriate term for the event.
As they came by boat Peter Dutton would probably suggest the latter. Australia became a nation with Federation on January 1, 1901, when the six self-governing colonies agreed to unite and form the Commonwealth of Australia.
Indigenous soldiers fought in both world wars but, even after World War II, on return were treated very differently to the white soldiers they fought alongside. In 1962, indigenous people were finally granted the right to vote. It wasn’t until the referendum of May 27,1967, however, that a majority (90.77 per cent) of Australians voted to give indigenous inhabitants (almost) equal status, and on August 10, 1967, for that to become law.
I believe, given the referendum objectives and its overwhelming acceptance, one of these two dates would be more appropriate to celebrate as a truly united nation.
- Richard Mallaby, Wangi Wangi
What a country
WHAT a country! Over 100 fires burning on the mainland and Tasmania.
Temperatures have broken all records with some places nearing 50 degrees. Most aluminium smelters who use a great amount of electricity have been directed to close down so that there are no blackouts – many have their cooling systems working day and night. Many animal lovers are scouring the burnt bush looking for injured animals. Dozens of wild horses (brumbies) have died at a dry waterhole. The rangers had to shoot those who weren’t dead.
Some railways have stopped running because of distortion of the tracks, even though they have been spraying them with water.
Motor cavalcades have been arriving carrying bales of hay, from those who still have some, for the farmers whose cattle and sheep are dying. Small towns are running out of water and millions of fish have died in the trickle of water left in the rivers.
And still we haven’t a plan to stop global warming. Otherwise things are great!
- Tom Edwards, Wangi Wangi
Praise for nurses
YOU don’t need a PhD in health to know the nurse is the backbone in the fields of health, medicine, and the hospital system. Imagine a hospital run without nurses: it would not happen. To all the nurses out there, we all admire you, and look up to you. You are a credit to humanity. Thank you for everything that you do in your daily workload.
- Richard Ryan, Summerland Point
Swimming with sharks
PRIZEMONEY was doubled for winners and place getters in the Australia Day Newcastle Harbour Swim Classic 2019.
I reckon everyone who participated needed an award of some kind considering the potential risk of meeting bull sharks who frequent inland waterways, and especially murky harbours. I don't want to sound the panic button, but people should be made aware of the risk involved. The Lake Macquarie swim was cancelled a few years back because of concerns about sharks. Newcastle Harbour poses a far greater risk.
- Carl Stevenson, Dora Creek
Not converted
CAN politically correct, trendy inner-city lefties please stop calling Australia Day “Invasion Day”? You're not converting anyone to your extremist cause. The arrival of the British in 1788 brought civilisation to Australia, all Australians have benefited immensely from that.
- Peter C Jones, Rathmines
