Australia Day is being “quietly cancelled” by pubs and clubs across the country, as more and more Aussies are choosing different ways to mark the national day.
Australia Day is a national holiday celebrated annually on January 26th to commemorate the arrival of the first fleet of British ships at Sydney Cove in 1788. This year, however, many pubs and clubs are quietly cancelling their Australia Day celebrations due to growing calls to change the date.
The debate surrounding Australia Day has been ongoing for years, with some arguing that it should be moved away from its current date out of respect for Indigenous Australians who view it as a day of mourning. Others argue that changing the date would be erasing history and deny Australians an opportunity to celebrate their national identity.
This year, many pubs and clubs have decided to cancel their traditional Australia Day events in order to avoid offending customers or sparking controversy. While some venues are hosting alternative events on different dates, others are choosing not to host any events at all.
Whatever your opinion on the matter may be, it’s clear that this is an issue which will continue to divide opinions for years to come. As such, it’s important that we respect each other’s views while also celebrating our national identity in a way which honours our history without causing offence or distress.
