Yahoo Finance Craig Foster: I am an Australia Day ambassador and support a change in date
I am an Australia Day Ambassador, today became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and support a change in date for our national celebration. Here is why.
It would be ideal for all Australians to celebrate Australia Day together but for our First Peoples, 26 January is a Day of Mourning which signifies the beginning of dispossession, frontier violence and destruction of culture.
I support those councils, sports, organisations and individuals who feel they, too, can no longer support the date in good conscience. This includes the brave decision by Cricket Australia last week to participate in the discussion. Importantly, cricket listened to their National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cricket Advisory Committee, demonstrating a respect for our First Peoples that we have too often lacked as a nation.
Sport reaches a broad audience and it is wonderful to see greater social responsibility from this influential institution, such as the powerful stance taken by the NRL Indigenous All Stars, who refused to sing an anthem that demonstrably does not acknowledge their history and culture. I would do the same in their shoes.
In recent years, I have marched in the Redfern Invasion Day rally and acknowledge the anniversary of the landing of the first fleet signifies intergenerational harm that we are yet to properly reconcile. It is almost 30 years since the Mabo case in 1992 punctured the historical, legal fallacy of terra nullius and it is high time we adapted all public institutions and celebrations to this reality.
I stand with Indigenous Australians because I am not committed to the date, but to the glorious dream that so many of us share of an inclusive, reconciled Australia. Symbols change; it is the underpinning values that are important.
The date can change in the same way that a word in the national anthem can symbolise broader reconciliation. It need not be confronting, it is a natural part of growing up as a nation. Of course, we are not young. Not if “we” includes pre-1788.
The history of the day itself, in any event, is one of constant change since emancipated convicts started to celebrate in 1808, a footnote I particularly enjoy because the genesis of the day is about transformation and hope, making a better life. Early iterations were First Landing Day, Foundation Day and Anniversary Day. The first Australia Day was held in July for four years during World War I, complete with an Australia Day Committee.
Of course, neither a change of a single word in an anthem, nor a date, can replace genuine reconciliation. Welcome to Country and Indigenous rounds in sport are important, but the risk is that we remain stuck in symbolism. Genuine partnership, reconciliation, a voice to parliament and active involvement in all decisions that affect our First Nations are the way forward.
Today is about togetherness. All colours, races, first nations and the rest of us, all religions, genders, sexualities, abilities. We are an incredible mix. But it is no good talking about a multicultural, inclusive Australia if we are not prepared to live it. It is those of us who do not face discrimination who must speak out for, and support those who do. Racially and culturally, I am in the majority in this country and therefore obligated to stand alongside those who are not.
A national day is about new citizens, the strength of local communities, local heroes and heroes making a difference who deserve to be recognised and the natural gifts we cherish every day. The beaches and rainforests, the waterways and deserts, the wildlife and the bush. The openness of the people, the melding of many cultures into a challenging but hugely successful experiment called multiculturalism that is an example to the world and must be nurtured, protected.
I have lived in many countries during my professional football career and my heart will always lie in the beautiful Northern Rivers of NSW, in a small town called Lismore and I deeply appreciate the opportunity my children have to grow up free of conflict that affects much of the world.
As an advocate for the precious multiculturalism that has so enriched us as a nation, it is a special privilege to welcome others. I have also seen first-hand the impact on families from the first generation, port-war migrants who built much of my football community, to the vast contributions of their sons and daughters.
And as a refugee advocate, I am acutely aware of the difficult journeys of many, the sacrifices they have made and the depth of gratitude when they find a safe home where they can dream of better things for their children. I feel a responsibility to let them know they are welcome, and should feel equal in every way.
Moreover, as I spend more time fighting for vulnerable communities, including refugees, I see more clearly the immense promise of Australia through their eyes. It is deeply moving. I will not forget standing alongside my young friend, Hakeem al-Araibi, as he received his citizenship certificate, knowing the struggle it took and what it meant to both him and his wife.
The date can change in the same way that a word in the national anthem can symbolise broader reconciliation
Craig Foster
Being recognised by one’s own country is very special, and families wear the badge of honour for generations. In small towns everywhere, I see the look of pride on faces of parents and grandparents as their children accept well-deserved commendations. I look forward to seeing these faces at the Blue Mountains local council event on Tuesday.
This year is a memorable one for the Foster family, especially my Lismore-based parents, Deanne and Kevin. They will be bursting with pride that their family which, more than 200 years ago, assisted immigrants and convicts who moved north of New South Wales as dairy farmers and loggers, has been recognised by their country.
As an avowed supporter of an Australian republic since my Socceroos days in the mid 1990s, I look forward eagerly to the day we develop our own awards system under an Australian head of state, and the honour provides an opportunity to speak about the issues affecting us all.
Today, please consider that there are still more than 400 people locked up on Nauru and stranded in Port Moresby, that Medevac refugees who came to Australia for treatment are now in their eighth year of indefinite incarceration. Eighth.
I went to Port Moresby to see the circumstances for myself in late 2019 and say to everyone that, regardless of your political views, Australia must have a minimum standard of treatment of any person. What we have done to asylum seekers is wrong; it has to change.
An image to inspire a nation to be better. All of us. To free all the remaining refugees and end this suffering once and for all, never to recur. Congratulations my friend @AzimiMoz and to everyone on that bus to freedom. A new life ahead and all our 💜 #GameOver https://t.co/mHm3Vy67EY
— Craig Foster (@Craig_Foster) January 21, 2021
They have lost almost a decade of their lives and suffered terribly. Yet refugees have come to represent the best of humanity in spite of – in fact, because of – the horror we subjected them to on Manus Island. These include my friends such as singer Mostafa Azimitabar and artist Farhad Bandesh, writer and poet Behrouz Boochani, Sanousi who dreamed of being a footballer, Ezatullah who lost his boxing career, the talented cricketer Samad, Mohammad the farmer from Sudan and Shamindan the Tamil. They have never given in to hate, not lost hope, have continued to show the incredible power of the human spirit and now, finally free, are committed to helping those still detained.
Mercifully, we can see an end to the pain, as many have been released in recent weeks, ostensibly to save money at a difficult time economically. But let us not forget that we have wasted $12bn, fatally damaged many young lives, caused destruction to others. The cacophony of condemnation at Australia’s Universal Periodic Review last week at the UN Human Rights Council should ring loud.
I ask every Australian on this day, when we renew our commitment to important principles we hold dear, to resolve to let the refugees get on with their lives. Give the gift of freedom we ourselves treasure, and never replicate this period again.
Related: 26 January: a million bloody words written every year | First Dog on the Moon
The AM that I receive is dedicated to my friends, refugees Moz and Farhad, and former refugee and now Australian citizen, Hakeem.
My heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped with the #SaveHakeem campaign. To our football community for their extraordinary support over decades as a player and then broadcaster. To all who volunteered for #PlayForLives to support vulnerable communities in need during Covid-19. To the Nangala Foundation, with whom we use football to promote education in remote Indigenous communities. To the late Les Murray and Johnny Warren, and all my former SBS colleagues and all who supported the #GameOver campaign.
One thing is certain: despite the many challenges we face, we are all unquestionably in an incredible place, and absolutely blessed to be on this island and call ourselves Australian.
A national day is special in so many ways. It would be incalculably more powerful on a date that truly brings us all together. Let’s make it happen.
