Proclamation Day almost forgotten and many South Australians don’t know why we have a public holiday for it
TWO out of three South Australians do not know what Proclamation Day is, a survey conducted by The Advertiser suggests.
TWO out of three South Australians do not know why we celebrate Proclamation Day, a survey conducted by The Advertiser suggests.
A poll conducted by The Advertiser last week showed only 36 out of the 111 people surveyed knew why Proclamation Day is commemorated.
Despite Proclamation Day being December 28, the Proclamation Day public holiday falls on the first working day after Christmas Day, which is usually Boxing Day.
This year the public holiday is Monday.
The holiday commemorates British Governor John Hindmarsh arriving at Holdfast Bay on December 28, 1836 — the day the vice-regal proclamation to establish South Australia as a British province was first read.
Victor Harbor High School student Monique Knolder, 16, who will attend Year 12 next year, said the curriculum did not include any reference to Proclamation Day.
“I think we can include it in geography, I haven’t had the chance to look into it,’’ he said.
Investigator College Year 8 student Shannen Beckett, 14, said while she did not know anything about the day, she felt it was important to learn about it and keep it a public holiday.
South Australian Primary Principals Association president Pam Kent was not fully certain Proclamation Day was included in the state’s education curriculum but said the national curriculum encouraged the need to celebrate local significant events.
“That leaves some flexibility for each state to choose their own,” she said.
“I suspect, with Proclamation Day being in the summer holidays, it doesn’t get the attention it deserves.”
Education Department executive director for learning improvement Susan Cameron said there were a number of opportunities from reception to Year 10 for teachers to tailor the national curriculum to focus on “local’’ days of significance and importance.
“Teachers in each state and territory are expected to tailor this content to their state or local context, which, in South Australia, would most likely include a focus on Proclamation Day as an important celebration of historical significance,” she said.
More than 200 people commemorated the 179th Proclamation Day of South Australia on Monday.
An official ceremony was held at Old Gum Tree reserve in Glenelg where Governor Hindmarsh’s secretary George Stevenson, read the document known as the Proclamation of South Australia.
Governor Hieu Van Le was joined at the ceremony by the Environment Minister Ian Hunter, who was representing the Premier Jay Weatherill, and Holdfast Bay Mayor Stephen Patterson.
Australian Native Title and Reconciliation members held a peaceful protest outside the reserve and called for the protection of Aboriginal land and the acknowledgment of Aboriginal people through advisory committees.
Mr Patterson said December 28 was a significant date in South Australia’s history.
“Glenelg is the mainland birthplace of our state so Proclamation Day holds a special place in Holdfast Bay’s annual calendar, but it’s really a statewide celebration for all proud South Australians,” he said.
The mayor said celebrations continued with the Bay Sports Festival and Bay Sheffield drawing thousands to Glenelg.
The feature race, the 120m Open Bay Sheffield Gift, has $57,000 in prize money up for grabs across 21 running events over the two days of the festival.
Cowandilla resident Michael Sullivan, 65, lived at Glenelg North in front of the historic Old Gum Tree before he moved in 1998.
“I saw premiers, governors, chief army, navy and the air force come to the ceremony, once even the Queen came to plant a tree,” he said.
“But I think Proclamation Day has lost its meaning today.”