OUR SAY: Why change what’s not broken?

WOW, what a day. The success of Australia Day may for some beg the question "if it ain't broke why fix it"?

An Australian citizenship ceremony will be held in the Federation Room of the Brolga Theatre and Convention Centre, on July 26. It will start at 2pm. Picture: Contributed

WOW, what a day.

Despite the constant threat of rain, the Sunshine Coast turned it on yesterday with ceremonies and activities, both formal and organic, bringing people together to reflect and show gratitude for the freedoms and benefits we collectively enjoy.

The amount of work, much of it done by volunteers, to bring it all together at venues across the region is a testament to the enormous value placed in community.

The success of the day may for some beg the question "if it ain't broke why fix it"?

But an argument does have merit to reconsider not only the date of our national day and the design of our national flag but also our national anthem.

Should Australia Day fall on the anniversary of the annexation of the country from its indigenous custodians in the name of Britain or when our sovereignty was declared on January 1, 1901?

It is a debate that we should not be frightened of and should be mature enough to argue with a clear eye to our history and the reality of what January 26 means to the first Australians.

Originally published as OUR SAY: Why change what’s not broken?