Monuments to the First Australians are worth building

It is ever a treat to read Geoffrey Blainey whose fluent narrative is always punctuated with common sense and facts. His latest contribution (“An epic endeavour, a vexed debate”, 25/1) notes that Captain Cook directly made possible present-day Australia one of the success stories of the world, while recognising that the Aboriginal people, across several thousand years, bridged the gap between Southeast Asia and Australia which they discovered and settled.

Blainey’s suggestion that this achievement be honoured by a discovery monument at a symbolic site or sites is an admirable one.

If executed, his suggestion should go some significant way towards resolving issues of recognition that have plagued public discussion in Australia for so long.

I believe this proposal could be readily realised by appointing a committee comprising Blainey, Noel Pearson and Jacinta Nampijinpa Price under the auspices of Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt.

That achieved, attention could then be given to the cultural and other indigenous issues that have so often been raised yet concerning which sensible suggestions, such as those by Pearson and Price, have as often been ignored. The discovery monument might be replicated so that a version could be located at Broome, Darwin, Cape York, Melbourne and Hobart as well as such other places as the designated committee determines.

The design of and narrative on the monument should be simple but evocative.

Ian Dunlop, Hawks Nest, NSW

Geoffrey Blainey’s article deserves commendation. It should be circulated in every school to educate children and their teachers on the factual history of the nation. We must remember that this arduous, dangerous voyage was taken in a small coal carrier, over some of the wildest oceans, with just a sextant and telescope.

Captain Cook was a great sailor and we should honour and recognise him for what became a British settlement, which, although there is much argument in some circles, brought civilisation to these shores.

Lesley Beckhouse, Queanbeyan, NSW

Thanks to Geoffrey Blainey for bringing to our attention some little known circumstances, that if played out differently, could have changed the course of history and the way in which European settlement in Australia would eventually take place.

Alex Cameron, Surrey Downs, SA

Changing the date of Australia Day from the January 26 to another date would be an excellent way of acknowledging past wrongs done to the First Australians. It does not make sense to continue celebrating Australia’s past and present on a date that is divisive and contentious. January 26 marks the arrival of the First Fleet which heralded the oppression of a people.

Ed Sianski, West Moonah, Tas

Your collective award of Australian of the Year to the volunteer firefighters was a brilliant and deserving call by the readership.

Indeed, as your editorial notes, the fireys represent the spirit of the nation — capturing our history of bravery, sacrifice and service. There is an added bonus: given that well known firey Tony Abbott is a recipient of the award by extension, it will send the luvvies into meltdown.

Many Australians like a bit of schadenfreude. Congratulations and well done to the former prime minister, who also demonstrated how to return fire with the pen, by writing his worthy column (“Lives matter, not political points”, 23/1).

Mandy Macmillan, Singleton, NSW

You have got it right, again. Our volunteer firefighters are revered by all of us. The pride of the nation. Selflessness and courage a million country miles above and beyond the call. Unquestionable valour right in the face of a ferocious enemy. They leave us breathless and in awe.

Stephanie Millar, Cremorne, NSW

Reading The Weekend Australian, I became aware of the moral and ethical gap between the firefighters, various individual Australians of the Year, ordinary, resilient citizens — and the political and business elites.

If it was not for a free press, persistent, investigative journalists and brave whistleblowers, the groups and individuals that Johannes Leak portrays would still be conducting their grubby schemes.

Jim Wilson, Beaumont, SA