Lived Experience Forum

[Owlunar]

People are more open about their opinions now and this is a good thing and so let's be ocka with the thongs and the Aussie Flag to walk on and be proud to be whatever kind of Australian we are

I am a British Australian - Dad being English and my mother's ancestors being from Northern Ireland - so I am glad to see the Red, White and Blue today

Have a good one - don't forget the aerogard, careful walking under gum trees cause koalas have a damp way of expressing their emotions, don't feed the kangeroos bread and enjoy whatever sport you support

In other words - Have a Good Australia Day

Dec

[Mazarita]

I am irish-scotish-anglo Australian by ancestry, though a number of generations born in Australia now. I think a date change might help reconciliation for all of us. Here's to a more inclusive Australia Day for all.

[Former-Member]

Happy Australia Day @Mazarita and @Owlunar. It was interesting to learn of your bloodlines. Mine is German-Irish-Australian. I had an enjoyable day with family and friends over a BBQ, drinks and lots of laughs. Had a great time celebrating this wonderful country of ours that I am so grateful to be living in. Hope you all had a relaxing day 

[Mazarita]

Hi @Owlunar, @Former-Member, just wanted to acknowledge that I know Dec has strong connections to the aboriginal community, through her relationship with her son. I just really wanted to post the aboriginal flag because I think it's beautiful and meaningful to be seen on Australia Day. I do think we should change the date for reconciliation. But I also feel so very fortunate to be living in the beautiful land and country that is Australia.

[Former-Member]

The flag is very beautiful and meaningful @Mazarita. I never knew you had strong connections @Owlunar - that is very special. I love aboriginal artwork and their special connection and respect of the land something I share.

[Mazarita]

I feel I must apologise to you @Owlunar for not acknowledging your deep connection in my first post. 

@Former-Member, I too feel I have learned much from my contact with aboriginal culture, especially a deeper and more respectful attitude to the earth.

I have so much to learn. 

[Former-Member]

To be honest @Mazarita - I believe our first people had the right idea of the way to live. They had little disease, a deep spiritual connection and little conflict compared to ours today. No power struggles or corruption over money. I always feel better when in nature and could imagine the benefits of living the way they did they was taken from them. I often ponder on this and am learning too xxx

[Mazarita]

@Former-Member thank you for your words. I too often ponder what has been lost and stolen and have a deep sense that there is great injustice. I too feel better for being in nature. I was born in the country, this country, and I miss living closer to the land. At the same time I have been heavily conditioned in urban life over most of my life. I kind of live on a cusp here, in a big regional city, very close to the vast ocean. Place has a special significance to me.

[Owlunar]

@Mazaritaand @Former-Member

Thanks for your thoughts and including my adopted aboriginal son in this thread - he does indeed belong here

I thought of him a lot when I saw so much about colonisation on TV yesterday - and I thought a lot about the how we came to be here and what we took from the First Australians - the "Sorry" thing and still

Every one in this country is descended from somewhere - here or elsewhere - we all have the right to be here - many migrants have come here because the were disposed elsewhere

And multi-culturalism is something that makes Australia unique - the country is a works-in-progress as are its peoples

I wish and pray for assimilation - and hope we can remain unique at the same time

Dec

[Mazarita]

Hi @Owlunar, @Former-Member, hope this day is treating you both well.

I agree that what seems needed now in Australia is reconciliation and acceptance between all of us, wherever we are from. Aside from the aboriginal people, we are all, in a way, 'boat people' in one way or another, in our origins. Love is what is needed, it seems to me. Thankfully we find it plentiful here on the forum.