Australian of the year 2009

[Scooter79]

Most people have probably heard by now that Mick Dodson has been named Australian of the year. Now this might open up a whole can of worms by posting but now the Australian of the year has called Australia Day to be changed to another date because it's 'not inclusive' of Aboriginal people.

This is the article from ninemsn

New Australian of the Year Mick Dodson says the date of Australia Day needs to be changed because January 26 "isolates" indigenous people.

The Aboriginal leader and academic was named Australian of the Year by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at a ceremony outside Parliament House in Canberra on Sunday night.

Mr Rudd thanked the Yawuru man, 58, for his lifetime commitment to improving the lives of Aboriginal people and in helping to close the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.

Immediately following the official ceremony, Prof Dodson called for a "national conversation" about changing the date of Australia Day, which commemorates the landing of the first fleet on Australian shores in 1788.

The nation was mature enough to have that discussion following the federal government's apology to the stolen generations last year, he said.

"We have to have a date that's more inclusive than January 26, which is the date that's chosen as the landing of the first fleet at Sydney Cove," Prof Dodson told reporters.

"To most indigenous Australians it (Australia Day) really reflects the day on which our world came crashing down.

"Many of our people call it invasion day."

Prof Dodson said he was anxious about accepting the nomination but eventually decided it was in the best interests of the country.

"I talked long and hard with my family about this," he said.

While proud to receive the award he was also slightly embarrassed because "there's a couple of million Australians out there who probably deserved this ahead of me".

Prof Dodson said the government had to address the issue of compensation for the stolen generations, and repeated calls for the Northern Territory intervention to be made compliant with Australia's international human rights obligations.

The prime minister said non-indigenous Australians had a lot to learn from their indigenous brothers and sisters.

The Aboriginal culture was one of the "oldest continuing cultures in history" and Australians were lucky to have the opportunity to share in that heritage, Mr Rudd said.

But Labor won't be moving Australia Day from January 26.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin last week said "the Australian government does not support a policy of changing the date of Australia Day".

Anti-violence campaigner Jonty Bush, 29, was named Young Australian of the Year for 2009.

Her younger sister was murdered eight years ago. Five months later, Ms Bush's father was killed in an unprovoked attack.

She is now chief executive of the Queensland Homicide Victims support group and helps other people who have experienced tragedy.

"'Victim' is a title but it's never been a way of life to me," Ms Bush told reporters.

"You can't control what's going to happen, all you can do is control your response."

A 76-year-old entrepreneur from Victoria, Pat LaManna, was named Senior Australian of the Year.

An Italian immigrant from a poor background, Mr LaManna overcame economic adversity to give back to charities in Australia and around the world.

A sea safety expert from Western Australia took out the Local Hero award.

Graeme Drew, 53, won the award for always being available to help search for lost and disabled vessels and helping retrieve the bodies of those who drowned while fishing.

After Mr Drew's nephew died after being caught in a rip in 2003 he established a trust in his memory which has been used to improve coastal safety.

Personally I can't say I'm too impressed with Mick Dodson. If he feels that Australia Day is 'Invasion Day', then why accept the nomination in the first place?

[stocky]

give it to someone else!

[Julie]

wheres the f-off thread when you need it lol. F-OFF Mick Dodson!

[STEALTHY™]

This thread is LOL.

Some people have nothing better to do, and lets face it, he's not really doing much for the stereotypes that are out there about aboriginals.


Australia day is the day it is because of its significance. I have no objects to making a whole new public holiday for Aboriginal day, but changing Aus day, F - OFF

[Cane_It]

Sam Kekovich was robbed... its that simple.

[minux]

Glen McGrath has done so much more for people of this country. Much more deserving then this dodsen fellow.

[LightningVP]

Who the hell is this guy anyway....I haven't even heard of him...Even I'd go Glen McGrath (mainly because we have the same surname lol)

[Scooter79]

Glen McGrath has done so much more for people of this country. Much more deserving then this dodsen fellow.

I was hoping it would be Glen McGrath. True champion in every way and someone that everyone could look up too.

[minux]

I was hoping it would be Glen McGrath. True champion in every way and someone that everyone could look up too.

Yep, unfortunately I guess this is why betcorp suspended betting as it was a foregone conclusion Rudd would pick an aboriginal after the whole "sorry" campaign.

Look, Dodson is a smart man, no doubt about it and has done a LOT for aboriginal reconciliation and more so a lot into Australia History etc and teach aboriginals both sides of white and black history. However, I don't think its enough, I mean, what has he done for the white population? He isn't interested in helping those. This is where I think it stinks.

Thinking about Australia day, it could be changed, we could have it January 02 and have a week with 2 public holidays, would probably make a little more sense as this was when Australia was officially proclaimed as a nation(was Jan 01 but we cant have 2 public holidays on the same day ) we could even have it on July 9 which was when our consititution received royal assent. Who knows, maybe it could be enough for aboriginals to see that we do listen to wehat they say and it may help their communities? Unlikely though, but we can think unrealistically right?

[Low_VX_Taxi]

Glen McGrath has done so much more for people of this country. Much more deserving then this dodsen fellow.

Agreed 100% such a shame really he didn't as he has done so much!

Yep, unfortunately I guess this is why betcorp suspended betting as it was a foregone conclusion Rudd would pick an aboriginal after the whole "sorry" campaign.

Look, Dodson is a smart man, no doubt about it and has done a LOT for aboriginal reconciliation and more so a lot into Australia History etc and teach aboriginals both sides of white and black history. However, I don't think its enough, I mean, what has he done for the white population? He isn't interested in helping those. This is where I think it stinks.

Thinking about Australia day, it could be changed, we could have it January 02 and have a week with 2 public holidays, would probably make a little more sense as this was when Australia was officially proclaimed as a nation(was Jan 01 but we cant have 2 public holidays on the same day ) we could even have it on July 9 which was when our consititution received royal assent. Who knows, maybe it could be enough for aboriginals to see that we do listen to wehat they say and it may help their communities? Unlikely though, but we can think unrealistically right?

at least 10 characters.

[VYBR8R]

this crap will never end, we've reconciled, rudd said sorry. move on get over it, but no they'l keep wanting more and more, first australia day, then compansation tomorrow the world.......... or maybe just a bigger dole payment for the TAB

[daron]

i didnt say sorry and rudd should naver say it on my behalf
the date will never be changed so we have nothing to worry about
this guy just makes himself look stupid
we are spose to be all austalians white or black we should all get along

[Sabbath']

Somebody should tell this idiot that he's "Australian of the Year" Australia was the nation which was formed by the Settlers or "Invaders" as they've so cleverly named them. Maybe he should be handing the award back as isnt he now fraternizing with the enemy?

[Calaber]

Dodson says that Australia Day is an inappropriate day for Aboriginal people as it is more likely to be associated with "Invasion Day" and that a more appropriate date is required.

I have a few questions for Mr. Dodson, and anybody else who agrees with him.

1. What date would you consider "appropriate"?

2. Why would that date be appropriate - how is it significant?

3. If 26 January is "Invasion Day" because the British landed and claimed Australia as a British colony, do you and the rest of your race think that somebody else wouldn't have come along since 1788 and taken possession of this country for their own if the British hadn't been the first to do it, in which case a different date would have been involved, but it still would have been the same end result for aboriginal people.

4. Have you ever thought of who the other "invaders" might have been and the ramifications for this country compared to what it became? The French, led by La Perouse, just missed out by days - how might you have endured French rule instead of British?

I sometimes think that the aboriginal agitators who resent the "invasion" believe that they would still be living in the "dreamtime" they had prior to 1788, and that if Phillip and Co hadn't arrived here, Australia would still be the same isolated island it was until then.

As if.....

[VYBR8R]

hahaha they're not calling it invasion day nemore, good ol mr dodson chuckling to himself is now calling today "pay day" , bring on the compensation cheques lol

on a similar topic i just heard on the radio that aboriginals of the community are uneasy about today, i can tell you one thing the aboriginals up in northam dont know its even monday let alone australia day or what that means for that matter!

[minux]

Dodson says that Australia Day is an inappropriate day for Aboriginal people as it is more likely to be associated with "Invasion Day" and that a more appropriate date is required.

I have a few questions for Mr. Dodson, and anybody else who agrees with him.

1. What date would you consider "appropriate"?

2. Why would that date be appropriate - how is it significant?

3. If 26 January is "Invasion Day" because the British landed and claimed Australia as a British colony, do you and the rest of your race think that somebody else wouldn't have come along since 1788 and taken possession of this country for their own if the British hadn't been the first to do it, in which case a different date would have been involved, but it still would have been the same end result for aboriginal people.

4. Have you ever thought of who the other "invaders" might have been and the ramifications for this country compared to what it became? The French, led by La Perouse, just missed out by days - how might you have endured French rule instead of British?

I sometimes think that the aboriginal agitators who resent the "invasion" believe that they would still be living in the "dreamtime" they had prior to 1788, and that if Phillip and Co hadn't arrived here, Australia would still be the same isolated island it was until then.

As if.....

As I said, there are 2 much more relevant days open for discussion:

Thinking about Australia day, it could be changed, we could have it January 02 and have a week with 2 public holidays, would probably make a little more sense as this was when Australia was officially proclaimed as a nation(was Jan 01 but we cant have 2 public holidays on the same day ) we could even have it on July 9 which was when our consititution received royal assent. Who knows, maybe it could be enough for aboriginals to see that we do listen to wehat they say and it may help their communities? Unlikely though, but we can think unrealistically right?

Both of which are more relating to "Australia" than the landing of the first fleet I feel

I do not want to see it changed, but I can see why people might like the idea.

[Calaber]

Minux

I had read your earlier post and accept your point regarding those dates, but I was more inclined to seek the views of those who might have some idea of what the aboriginal community would considere appropriate. Both your dates are significant to us white fellas, perhaps not to the aboriginal population.

[daron]

he said 13th jan because thats the day rudd said sorry and that should become the new australia day

[VYBR8R]

who said january the 13th?? why would we celebrate the day our Rudd the dudd prime minister opened the country up to countless lawsuits and compensations claims. what is rudd saying sorry got to do with being australian, i didnt say sorry, theres other people that didnt say sorry, rudd didnt say sorry for all of us. Regardless Rudds already said that his government would not support a date change for australia day(thank god he has half a brain) and he was acknowledged with 2 crowd applauses. A line has to be drawn somewhere.

[Grennan]

I have a few questions for Mr. Dodson, and anybody else who agrees with him.

1. What date would you consider "appropriate"?

he said 13th jan because thats the day rudd said sorry and that should become the new australia day

It was also suggested it should be changed to May 7th i think it was, the date Aboringines got equal rights.

...But isnt that isolating the majority of the population who arent Aborigines?

Seriously they need to get the **** over it. If the english didnt take over Australia someone else wouldve. People have been claiming land since the beginning of time. If you didnt fight for it then tough shit.

[minux]

Seriously guys, I applaud the way Dodson has gone about this, all he said was "lets have a conversation over it" not lets change it. I wish more people in positions like his would open the floor for discussion including our own political leaders. I think ti would go a long way to making this country what it once was.

[STEALTHY™]

Krudd said 'no' in response to changing it.

[Johnsy]

bout time k-rudd stepped up to the plate....


Any one else think people like Stephanie Rice getting the order of oz was wrong ? i mean she got her gold medals move on.. there are LOTS more people who help our old and disabled who deserve that recognition !

[daron]

sports ppl shouldn't get it at all it should be for the community ppl who help out
volunteers and stuff

[Grennan]

Minux is right, while i think Dodson has gone about it the right way, people have jumped on the bandwagon in asking for a change. I think it was Ron Barrassi in the Sunday paper here in Victoria, he was on the front page saying it should be changed.

On the topic of Australians of the Year, I agree with the above post, simply giving them the award for being good at sports is pretty poor. With that being said, I would be opposed to giving it to someone like McGrath because of his contributions to breast cancer since his wife passed.