Unity and larrikin spirit will prevail over divisive forces

As inevitable as Easter eggs on the Boxing Day shelves, it’s time for our annual Australia Day angst fest (“Protest groups join forces for Australia Day rallies”, 23/1).

Each year we watch in anguish as this parade of progressives vies to outdo each other in discrediting our nation.

Labelling it as illegitimate, they seek not only to besmirch our history and those who people its pages but also to purge our nation of any trace of its white history. It is a national exorcism. A progressive cleansing. A slow strangulation of our rich and colourful history, of our heritage.

The view from the cheap seats is much better. Down here we’re celebrating James Cook and Matthew Flinders. We’re saluting Arthur Phillip, Lachlan Macquarie and John Macarthur. We’re applauding Robert O’Hara Burke and William Wills, Charles Sturt, Gregory Blaxland, William Lawson and William Wentworth, John Oxley and Ludwig Leichhardt. We’re honouring John Flynn, Caroline Chisholm, Mary MacKillop, Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson, John Monash and John Simpson. And we’re raising a glass to the stump-jump plough.

Do your children a favour this Australia Day. Take them down to the cheap seats and thrill them with the extraordinary tales of our past.

Jane Bieger, Mount Lawley, WA

Each year before Australia Day the same self-flagellating, miserable, disloyal, divisive activists attempt to victimise Australians by dragging out the same old, oft-repeated, worn, embellished narrative of “black-armband history”.

Every previous global, colonised culture had difficulties to overcome. Fortunately, the English brought the best of law, order, democracy, civilisation and productivity from which we continue to benefit today.

The overwhelming rejection of Anthony Albanese’s voice referendum reflected the determination of Australians not to divide our country by race and equality and to respect our democracy.

Unfortunately, divisive activists fail to recognise and appreciate the unbreakable bond Australians have forged between the original Indigenous inhabitants of Australia and the vast majority of immigrants who came with such hope and enthusiasm from all corners of the globe who unite and celebrate together.

This melting pot has forged us into the strong, patriotic country we are today, despite the more recent infiltration of those who wish us harm.

It is amusing to read the attempts of activists who seek to divide us when the people who fought to retain our unity during the divisive voice campaign were Indigenous people.

Embrace our people, embrace our country and celebrate our unity. We are truly blessed.

Mary-Anne Higgins, Rose Park, SA

How would we feel if we had been kicked out of our house by newcomers and exiled to a rickety shed in the backyard?

The yard is soon unable to provide sustenance because it has been wrecked by introduced animals. We get assistance, though – food and goods, shed improvement, visits by expert after expert, and even a new religion.

In time we are allowed back in the house and, after a peaceful protest, the swimming pool. But we rarely feel true respect from the ever-wary newcomers.

Some recognition is won when we receive title to the shed and part of the yard, but our overtures for a fair go are often rejected or ignored.

But the thing that always baffles us is that every year the newcomers have a party in the house and yard on the day that they stole the property.

Craig Brown, Eaglehawk Neck, Tas

Re Jennifer Westacott’s article (“We’re losing the plot on how to be Australian”, 24/1), may I point out that we have not lost the plot on being Australian as much as having it taken from us.

If you create a society where being a larrikin is frowned on, then you have taken the essence of being an Australian away. Why, being an Australian is even on the nose and the permanently offended try to snuff out Australia Day celebrations.

One cannot express being Australian if one is gagged and if one is to fear to be on the end of receiving abhorrent reprisals.

The plea for a return to civility is reasonable. Be civil at all times and have respect without denigrating another’s point of view.

Susan McLochlan, Caboolture South, Qld