By Syed Atiq ul Hassan
The new Australian generation wants to be a true democratic republic nation free from English monarchy and they also want to remember the great leaders of the first generation of Australia – the Aborigines.
The young Australian generation wants Australia to be a true republic democratic country free from the monarchy brand. Therefore, it is important for young Australians to know and remember the great leaders of the first generation of Australia – the Aborigines.
Despite the great contributions of Aboriginal leaders and role models, the Australian government has not observed a national holiday on their birthdays or death anniversaries. The Australian Prime Minister, on the other hand, did not waste any time in announcing a national holiday on 22 October when Queen Elizabeth died.
At the age of 96, the Queen of Great Britain passed away on September 8, 2022. In 1954, Elizabeth II became Queen of Great Britain after her father, King George IV, died. The young Elizabeth was just 25 years old at that time. In 1926, Queen Elizabeth was crowned. The late Elizabeth was born in London, the eldest of her siblings, and a courageous and noble woman. The effects of the Second World War were still being felt in Great Britain when the late Elizabeth became Queen. Her performance as Queen of Great Britain was commendable. Following the Second World War, the queen of the state offered her services to the people of Great Britain in order to maintain the democratic system, to keep the state strong, and keep the countries under the influence of Great Britain and allied countries united. The people of Great Britain loved Queen Elizabeth. Britain was very saddened by the death of Queen Elizabeth. Ordinary and senior citizens said that Queen Elizabeth will have a special place in British history.
In the United Kingdom, 10 days of official mourning were declared following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians, and Cayman Islanders have all declared a public holiday. Australia is celebrating a national holiday today, October 22.
There is no public holiday declared in Australia for any special occasion, whether happy or sad. Traditionally, Australia has never declared a public holiday for the death of any prominent leader, or former head of government, or politician. The Australian national media, newspapers, and television channels aired programs in memory of Queen Elizabeth II and paid tribute to her services. Australia is dominated and governed by white people of European descent, who are ethnically related to Britain and Europe. This is the reason the Australian government and leaders agreed to observe the mourning and public holiday for the death of the Queen. Anyway, I don’t have any issue with this act as we are a democratic society.
Well, it is understood the importance of mourning Queen Elizabeth’s death in Commonwealth countries and highlighting her importance. There are 54 Commonwealth member countries around the world, including India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Australia is one of the 15 countries that are still under the crown of the late Queen Elizabeth. Despite being a democratic system, the Governor General of Australia is nominated by the Queen of Great Britain. After the Queen’s death, time will tell how many of these subjugated countries remain under the rule and influence of Charles, the new king of Great Britain.
Critics also contend that after Queen Elizabeth, the British monarchy will come to an end. There is no evidence that King Charles has any influence on the world. Today’s world is changing anyway, and the younger generation disapproves of monarchy and believes in a true democracy. Currently, the Commonwealth is extremely weak and useless to its member states. The majority of countries, except for those with ethnic or cultural ties to Britain, are under the influence of the British Crown and in step with King Charles. There was a time when the sun of the British monarchy never set. The majority of countries in the world came under the influence of the British crown from east to west and from north to south. The British ruled over countries, including the subcontinent, many Asian countries, European countries, and the Asia Pacific region. Gradually the rule of the Crown of Britain shrunk.
British slavery was abolished in most of the world after the Second World War, and some crowns remained under British influence only in name, including Australia. Australia is governed by an independent democratic government that makes its own decisions. Governors-General are appointed by the British Crown only and do not interfere with government affairs.
Today (22 October), on the death of the Queen, in Australia there is a national holiday.
It is noteworthy that Aboriginal leaders and role models struggled their entire lives for the basic rights of their people. The history of Australia’s ancient race is sixty thousand years old. Their freedom and civil rights movement spans at least two centuries. Australian history will always remember these Aboriginal leaders for their unbelievable and unforgettable sacrifices. These leaders and role models have not yet received the recognition they deserve. Neither their birth nor death days are observed as a national holiday in honour of any first-generation leader’s birth or death. The younger generation needs to remember in a more practical way to remember the great leaders of the first generation of Australia. Therefore, the national holiday for these great leaders must also be observed in Australia. There are many great personalities of the first generation including David Unaipon, Neville Thomas Bonner, Albert Namatjira, Oodgeroo Noonuccal, and many more.
If we (Australians) want to acknowledge Aborigines as the first Australians on this land, we need to remember their great leaders and their sacrifices by observing their notable days through national observance and national holidays. (The writer is a Sydney-based journalist, his email address is shassan@tribune-intl.com ).
Syed Atiq ul Hassan,
Sydney-based Journalist,
Mobile: 0479 143 628
