Australia, land of the fair go?
T uesday is an opportunity to celebrate all that's great about this terrific county. Our relative wealth, clean environment, peaceful communities, democratic principles and, perhaps most importantly, values of friendship, mateship and tolerance, deliver a way of life that is the envy of many other nations. 
We should delight in proclaiming the things that unite us, rather than the ones that divide us. In saying that - a line oft used by John Howard - one must not view the world through rose-coloured glasses. We pride ourselves on being the land of the fair go - and of having a go, even when the odds are against us. (Thinking of Lleyton Hewitt's gracious and inspirational exit speech.) For Indigenous Australians, however, tomorrow brings into sharp focus an ongoing historical divide - "invasion day" marks the beginning of European settlement and the start of disastrous events and enduring changes for the original inhabitants.
The cruelty towards the stolen generations remain a haunting reminder of past wrongs. And, despite Kevin Rudd's apology on behalf of the nation, the uneasiness surrounding Australia Day persists. However, any move to shift the nation's focus away from this date will be fraught, due to the astonishing rise in its popularity. Nevertheless, the issue should be debated, given we pride ourselves on free speech.
ACT Australian Day ambassador Rugby World Cup star David Pocock pinpoints the ambiguity at the core of this issue, saying it is a "very difficult day" for Indigenous Australians because it commemorates "some truly terrible parts of our history". Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia's most decorated soldier who is chairman of the Australia Day Council, is calling for this year's Australia Day to be guided by "the spirit of mutual respect and understanding".
Some people have used the day to make demands of new arrivals. Taking pride in the nation or calling yourself a patriot is not necessarily a problem of itself, but we need to remember almost 30 per cent of the population was born overseas. Our cohesive, multicultural society means we welcome migrants, many of whom will choose to take out citizenship and, in doing so, promise to respect the values of their new country.
The annual revival of debate of the appropriateness of Australia Day has parallels with the Queen's Birthday holiday. ACT Labor MP Chris Bourke, a Gamillaroi man, is advocating that the territory ditch this holiday and adopt one that recognises the struggle for Indigenous rights. The proposed Mabo Day would mark a pivotal day in our history. If adopted, the day could make all citizens more aware of the need to work towards a just future for all Australians.
Would such a change, over time, help heal the nation and ameliorate the dread of Indigenous Australians as Australia Day approaches each year and, instead, work towards cultivating a patriotic pride that embraces all members of the community - truly a land of the fair go?