FOR many Australians, each year when January 26 rolls around it brings with it a sense of uneasiness.
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Traditionally, the people of this sunburnt country have held little affection for overt displays of patriotism.
We rejoice at the prospect of a public holiday, bask in the scents of barbecued meats and delight in the televised sport.
Between swigs of beer and mouthfuls of lamb our minds might fleetingly acknowledge our good fortune at living in Australia.
The flag-waving, chest-beating nationalistic jingoism so prevalent in other countries has never been our thing.
But in recent years such unedifying behaviour has gradually crept into Australia Day celebrations.
For an increasing number of people, Australia Day is marked by draping oneself in a flag, drinking copious amounts of alcohol and denouncing multiculturalism.
These people, labelling themselves “patriots”, have attempted to take ownership over the flag and lay down new definitions for that most nebulous of concepts – “Australian values”.
Anyone who does not subscribe to their mantra that white is right and multiculturalism is at the root of all society’s shortcomings are stamped traitors.
With this type of thinking so rampant on social media, one could be forgiven for retreating from Australia Day celebrations altogether.
But do not despair.
Yes, a vocal minority – a minority that Bendigo has seen and heard far too much of in the last year – is doing its best to taint Australia Day.
However, one only had to be present at one of the numerous events yesterday to realise all is not lost.
Thousands of people of all ages, races and socio-economic backgrounds turned out to celebrate the qualities that unites, not divides, this young country.
Dozens of residents across central Victoria were bestowed with honours for their selfless and single-minded pursuit of improving the lives of others.
Many more people, who were born in faraway lands, realised their dream of being officially declared Australia’s newest residents.
Yesterday was a timely reminder that the actions of society’s quiet achievers, not loud-mouth jingoism, remains what truly defines us as a country.
- Ross Tyson, deputy editor