Aussie celebrities weigh in on changing the date of Australia Day
Every Australia Day, the "Change The Date" debate quickly becomes one of the most hotly discussed political conversations across the nation.
This year, a cohort of Australian celebrities took to social media to express their desire to see the date moved from January 26 out of respect for Australia's indigenous people.
Thor actor and Hollywood superstar Chris Hemsworth weighed in with his two cents, sharing a thoughtful message about why he thinks the date has got to change.
"Today is a day of mixed emotions for many of us. Let's find a date to celebrate this beautiful country that doesn't exclude our Indigenous people and doesn't ignore the pain and suffering that has occurred. Australia Day should be a day where we all are united not divided #changethedate," wrote the 35-year-old Australian actor.
After former The Bachelor star Matty Johnson denounced Australia Day as symbolising "genocide," the 31-year-old TV personality revealed he lost "about a 1000" Instagram followers.
"I absolutely love this country and I'm as keen as the next person to celebrate this. But I think Jan 26 is not that day. There is no pride in genocide - it's time to change the date," wrote Johnson.
In the comments he added that losing fans for voicing his opinion "was worth it."
Offspring actor Patrick Brammall also shared his thoughts on the need to find another day to celebrate what it means to be Australian.
"OK How bout this: we change the date, the flag, and cut the apron strings while we’re at it? How bout a grown-up Australia we can all get on board with? Have a thoughtful #AustraliaDay all. #changethedate."
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Humanitarian and activist Turia Pitt offered up several options of landmark moments in Australian history that are worth celebrating instead.
Some of her suggested alternatives included the arrival of Vegemite on grocery store shelves on June 13, 1923 and Cathy Freeman winning gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympics on September 25.
"There are so many great dates and moments in our history to celebrate. And we should celebrate this incredible country. But if we want to be an inclusive nation that elevates our indigenous culture and celebrates diversity, we need to change the date," she stated.
Slightly more subtly, supermodel Elle Macpherson wrote simply, "Happy Australia -- missing home" alongside a picture of an indigenous Australian child floating in the water with their eyes closed.
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TV personality and model Pia Miller shared an image comprised of the colours of the Indigenous Australian flag without a caption, implying that a picture says 1000 words.
The Veronicas singer Lisa Huffman aka Lisa Origliasso, posted a picture of herself holding an indigenous child.
To accompany the image, she wrote, "Last night it was the deepest honour to perform, evoke spirit, & help to raise awareness & understanding across the land of the Kaurna people in Tarntanya, ElderPark. I believe our future generations can be the great leaders of change that give far greater respect & understanding on the history of this miraculous country & this day. #alwayswasalwayswillbeaboriginalland."
Former Today show presenter Sylvia Jeffreys also weighed in on the heated debate and suggested that it might be time Australia became a republic.
"The #AustraliaDay debate will struggle to move forward while there is no suitable alternative date. Perhaps this is the strongest argument for a #republic sooner rather than later. It could provide us with a new date of national significance on which to celebrate," she tweeted.
On the flip side, there were also posts from Aussie stars celebrating Australia's big day.
In a since-deleted post, Married at First Sight alumni Ryan Gallagher shared a photo of himself celebrating poolside wearing a pair of "budgie smugglers" with a mate.
"Two mates smuggling two very small budgies celebrating a bloody great country, Hoo F---in Roo," wrote the 30-year-old comedian.
Singer Shannon Noll got in the spirit wearing an Australian flag hat and matching sunnies to wish everyone a "happy Australia Day" while having a beer and cleaning the barbie."Happy Australia Day guys! #yeehawww," he captioned his video.
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