A little over two hundred years ago a small contingent of convicts and their guards arrived in Sydney Cove and founded a nation. Within 40 years Australia had become such a desirable destination for migrants that transportation had lost its deterrent terror. Within 100 years great cities had grown up with all the accoutrements of European civilisation. Democracy was flourishing. The rule of law was observed. Freedom was cherished. Prosperity was the norm. Not bad for a penal settlement. Worth a party in anybody's language I would say.
But be careful this year if you are planning on proudly flying the Australian flag because it could turn you into a racist! Drivers who fly Australian flags on their cars to celebrate Australia Day are "more racist" than people who do not, according to sociologist and anthropologist Professor Farida Fozdar of the University of Western Australia.
I find this offensive, Farida! But I guess it makes for a good headline and perhaps pulls in a bit more grant money for your 'research'. According to your UWA staff profile, Australian taxpayers, directly or indirectly, have already given you grants totalling $1,913,924 for studies such as "Effectiveness of a Whole-School Approach to Creating Supportive Environments that Remove Barriers to Learning for Refugee Youth" and "Good Food for New Arrivals".
I shall proudly fly the Australian flag tomorrow and on any other day I choose, Farida! But then, of course, I came to this wonderful country almost 47 years ago and passed through the 'supportive environment' of the Bonegilla Migrant Centre where they knew I would enjoy lamb chops and mixed grill and steam pudding without first having read your "Good Food for New Arrivals" study.
